Icelanders came rushing to the EU for help during the 2009 financial crisis. They are likely to do it again when Donald Dumb threatens them. Iceland is in the NATO alliance, but so is Greenland and this did not deter Donald Dumb from seeking to annex it. Why would Iceland be any different?
Trump already did it with Venezuela and Hormuz, and continues to threaten Greenland and Canada.
Inbred as they have been for centuries, Icelanders do not seem to understand the stakes.
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Icelanders vote 'No' to restarting EU accession talks
DPA
Sun, August 30, 2026
FILE PHOTO - Kristrún Frostadóttir, prime minister of Iceland, speaks to the press ahead of the NATO Summit and the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Ankara. (is associated with: «Icelanders vote 'No' to restarting EU accession talks») Michael Kappeler/dpa
Iceland has narrowly rejected restarting talks on joining the European Union in a referendum, with 52.8% voting against and 47.2% in favour, according to official results on Sunday.
Despite the small margin - about 118,000 people voted against, and about 105,000 in favour of restarting EU talks - the result marks a blow for the pro-EU, Social Democrat-led government.
The government had pledged to hold a referendum on reopening accession talks after coming to power in the 2024 election, and the vote was announced in March.
Social Democratic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir had said that the government would abide by the decision.
Frostadóttir had campaigned for a "Yes" vote. Even as the counting of votes was still under way she expressed hope that the referendum would not divide the country.
"I know that emotions have been running high among some people but I have now spent time with a large group of people from all over the country and people are quite open to different outcomes," she said on Icelandic television.
The country of around 400,000 inhabitants submitted an application for EU membership during the 2009 financial crisis. However, the subsequent Eurosceptic government put accession plans on ice after the 2013 parliamentary election.
DPA
Sun, August 30, 2026
FILE PHOTO - Kristrún Frostadóttir, prime minister of Iceland, speaks to the press ahead of the NATO Summit and the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Ankara. (is associated with: «Icelanders vote 'No' to restarting EU accession talks») Michael Kappeler/dpa
Iceland has narrowly rejected restarting talks on joining the European Union in a referendum, with 52.8% voting against and 47.2% in favour, according to official results on Sunday.
Despite the small margin - about 118,000 people voted against, and about 105,000 in favour of restarting EU talks - the result marks a blow for the pro-EU, Social Democrat-led government.
The government had pledged to hold a referendum on reopening accession talks after coming to power in the 2024 election, and the vote was announced in March.
Social Democratic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir had said that the government would abide by the decision.
Frostadóttir had campaigned for a "Yes" vote. Even as the counting of votes was still under way she expressed hope that the referendum would not divide the country.
"I know that emotions have been running high among some people but I have now spent time with a large group of people from all over the country and people are quite open to different outcomes," she said on Icelandic television.
The country of around 400,000 inhabitants submitted an application for EU membership during the 2009 financial crisis. However, the subsequent Eurosceptic government put accession plans on ice after the 2013 parliamentary election.
Pros and cons
Saturday's referendum was held after geopolitical tensions thrust the question of EU membership back to the top of the agenda.
A Nordic nation of just under 400,000 people and a NATO member, Iceland has been facing growing pressure to strengthen ties with the European mainland.
Doubts over the US commitment to European and Icelandic security, rising geopolitical rivalry in the Arctic and Washington's threats to take control of Greenland, an Arctic island west of Iceland, have contributed to the shift.
However, the security argument apparently failed to sway enough voters.
Opponents of EU membership have argued that joining the bloc would undermine Iceland's sovereignty, with fishing rights a particular concern. The fishing industry is a cornerstone of the Icelandic economy, and many opponents feared having to cede control over the country's waters.
Those opposed to reopening EU talks also said that NATO membership and a bilateral defence agreement concluded with the US in 1951 would suffice to keep the country safe. Mistrust of US President Donald Trump did not appear to prove a decisive factor.
Reykjavík already works closely with Brussels in the European Economic Area (EEA) and participation in the Schengen visa-free travel area.
Brussels initially made no comment on the referendum result. At a time when eurosceptical [sic] forces are gaining ground in several EU member states, a positive signal from Reykjavík would have been welcome for EU leaders.
Saturday's referendum was held after geopolitical tensions thrust the question of EU membership back to the top of the agenda.
A Nordic nation of just under 400,000 people and a NATO member, Iceland has been facing growing pressure to strengthen ties with the European mainland.
Doubts over the US commitment to European and Icelandic security, rising geopolitical rivalry in the Arctic and Washington's threats to take control of Greenland, an Arctic island west of Iceland, have contributed to the shift.
However, the security argument apparently failed to sway enough voters.
Opponents of EU membership have argued that joining the bloc would undermine Iceland's sovereignty, with fishing rights a particular concern. The fishing industry is a cornerstone of the Icelandic economy, and many opponents feared having to cede control over the country's waters.
Those opposed to reopening EU talks also said that NATO membership and a bilateral defence agreement concluded with the US in 1951 would suffice to keep the country safe. Mistrust of US President Donald Trump did not appear to prove a decisive factor.
Reykjavík already works closely with Brussels in the European Economic Area (EEA) and participation in the Schengen visa-free travel area.
Brussels initially made no comment on the referendum result. At a time when eurosceptical [sic] forces are gaining ground in several EU member states, a positive signal from Reykjavík would have been welcome for EU leaders.
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