Iceland has voted in a referendum against initiating negotiations on joining the European Union.
According to data from the Icelandic public broadcaster RUV, 52 percent (99,037 votes) voted against, while 47.5 percent (89,459 votes) were in favor.
The result appears to be clear, as data is missing from only one smaller electoral district, which could not change the outcome.
Supporters of the “yes” campaign emphasized that joining the EU would reduce the high interest rates that Iceland has been struggling with for a long time and would increase the country’s security in a world shaken by Russian aggression in Ukraine and Trump’s rhetoric about claiming the world’s largest island, Greenland.
On the other hand, the “no” campaign warned that EU membership would threaten the country’s sovereignty, as well as control over fishing areas that play a key role in Iceland’s economy.
In the referendum held yesterday, about 265,000 voters were eligible to vote.
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