Icelanders are awaiting the result of a referendum on whether the country should resume membership negotiations with the European Union, which began in 2009 amid the global financial crisis but were suspended in 2013 after a Eurosceptic government came to power.
Polling stations closed at 10pm local time on Saturday, with no exit polls available. It is expected to take several hours to determine whether the country’s 273,000 eligible voters have backed or rejected the proposal.
The referendum asked a straightforward question: “Should Iceland resume negotiations on membership of the European Union?”
Vote count shows narrow lead for the ‘no’ camp
Opinion polls conducted before the vote had suggested that the two sides were running neck and neck.
Live results broadcast by Iceland’s public broadcaster RÚV showed a narrow lead for the ‘no’ camp. At 04:15 GMT, after 152,243 votes had been counted, the ‘no’ side was ahead by around 400 votes.
The result remains too close to call, with counting continuing.
A second referendum would be required on EU membership
If the ‘yes’ side prevails, Iceland would resume discussions with the EU over the terms of possible membership.
However, a decision to restart negotiations would not itself mean that Iceland joins the bloc. Under the proposed process, a further referendum would be held once a membership agreement with the EU had been reached.
The vote therefore represents a decision on whether to reopen the path towards EU membership rather than a direct vote on joining the bloc.
