Iceland appears to have rejected EU accession talks in referendum, reports say
The no camp looks to have prevailed, holding 52.5% of votes with only a few left to be counted, says public broadcaster
TL;DR
- Iceland appears to have rejected government proposals for EU accession talks.
- Preliminary results show the "no" camp with 52.5% of votes versus 47.5% for the "yes" camp.
- The government had described EU membership as a "now or never" opportunity.
- Concerns regarding agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources influenced the "no" vote.
- Arguments for joining included easing interest rates and offering security amid global turmoil.
- Arguments against joining focused on threats to sovereignty and fishing waters.
- Iceland previously applied to join the EU in 2009 and ended talks in 2013.