Iceland has rejected a government proposal to open EU accession talks after a closely fought referendum, with the no camp winning 52.8% of the vote, RUV reported.
Key facts
- The no camp won 52.8% of the vote and the yes camp 47.2%, according to RUV.
- Voter turnout was high at 82.5%.
- The referendum concerned a government proposal to hold accession talks with the EU.
- Results were reported by Iceland's public broadcaster RUV.
- The Guardian said the well-funded no camp gained plaudits from Eurosceptic figures across Europe.
Voters in Iceland have rejected a government proposal to hold accession talks with the European Union, the country’s public broadcaster RUV reported. After a closely fought campaign, the no camp ended up with 52.8% of votes and the yes camp with 47.2%.
The result followed what the Guardian described as a long and anxious night for those on both sides of the debate. Earlier counts had shown the no camp holding 52.5% of votes with only a few ballots left to be counted in one of Iceland’s six voting districts, before the final margin settled at 52.8% to 47.2%.
Voter turnout was high at 82.5%, according to the Guardian, reflecting strong public engagement in a vote that divided the country. The Guardian characterised the campaign as closely fought and playing out against a backdrop of global volatility.
According to the Guardian, the well-funded no camp prevailed and gained plaudits from Eurosceptic figures across Europe. The referendum centred on whether Iceland should reopen accession talks with the EU, a proposal put forward by the government.
Al Jazeera also reported the outcome, citing RUV, with the no camp on 52.8 percent and the yes camp on 47.2 percent. Reuters and Agence France-Presse contributed reporting to the Guardian’s coverage.
Why it matters
Iceland's rejection of the government's proposal keeps the North Atlantic nation outside the process of joining the EU. The high turnout of 82.5% and the narrow margin underscore how divisive the question remains for Icelandic voters.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of Iceland's EU referendum?
According to RUV, the no camp won 52.8% of the vote and the yes camp 47.2%, meaning voters rejected the government's proposal to hold accession talks with the EU.
What was the turnout in the referendum?
Voter turnout was high at 82.5%, according to the Guardian.
What exactly did the referendum ask?
The referendum concerned a government proposal to hold, or reopen, accession talks with the European Union, according to the reports.