{"id":2118228,"date":"2026-08-29T15:24:35","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T12:24:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2118228"},"modified":"2026-08-29T15:24:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T12:24:35","slug":"icelands-eu-referendum-sees-high-preliminary-voter-turnout-in-expected-close-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2118228","title":{"rendered":"Iceland&#8217;s EU referendum sees high preliminary voter turnout in expected close race"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/39\/93\/1200x675_cmsv2_4f0852aa-773b-540e-8ffd-973de0bd6025-9893993.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2921483-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2921483\" data-cid=\"9893818\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921483-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/37\/81\/189x106_cmsv2_2b83b370-5a9b-5e2c-99d6-607efa94d5e7-9893781.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Migrants who crossed from Morocco into Spain return to a beach after being expelled the previous day, in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on 21 August 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    50-boat flotilla sails to Ceuta amid migration tensions\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921547-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2921547\" data-cid=\"9894068\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921547-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/40\/68\/189x106_cmsv2_26697f8b-4ca3-5c0c-9181-a460f5dddb88-9894068.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | August 29th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | August 29th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921534-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2921534\" data-cid=\"9894001\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921534-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/40\/01\/189x106_cmsv2_d24aef0e-d576-5c4f-bbc1-773109db0336-9894001.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Uzbekistan celebrates 35 years of independence\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Music, lights and drones: Uzbekistan celebrates 35 years of independence\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921214-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2921214\" data-cid=\"9892340\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921214-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/23\/40\/189x106_cmsv2_dd6a9c47-9334-5fcd-be8c-a6170079788f-9892340.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Kazakhstan&apos;s President officially opened the first session of Kurultai\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Kazakhstan<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Kazakhstan\u2019s gov&#8217;t steps down as new parliament holds first session\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921483-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2921483\" data-cid=\"9893818\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921483-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/37\/81\/189x106_cmsv2_2b83b370-5a9b-5e2c-99d6-607efa94d5e7-9893781.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Migrants who crossed from Morocco into Spain return to a beach after being expelled the previous day, in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on 21 August 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    50-boat flotilla sails to Ceuta amid migration tensions\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921547-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2921547\" data-cid=\"9894068\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921547-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/40\/68\/189x106_cmsv2_26697f8b-4ca3-5c0c-9181-a460f5dddb88-9894068.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | August 29th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | August 29th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921534-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2921534\" data-cid=\"9894001\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921534-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/40\/01\/189x106_cmsv2_d24aef0e-d576-5c4f-bbc1-773109db0336-9894001.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Uzbekistan celebrates 35 years of independence\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Music, lights and drones: Uzbekistan celebrates 35 years of independence\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921214-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2921214\" data-cid=\"9892340\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921214-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/23\/40\/189x106_cmsv2_dd6a9c47-9334-5fcd-be8c-a6170079788f-9892340.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Kazakhstan&apos;s President officially opened the first session of Kurultai\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Kazakhstan<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Kazakhstan\u2019s gov&#8217;t steps down as new parliament holds first session\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Iceland&#8217;s EU referendum sees high preliminary voter turnout in expected close race<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/39\/93\/1536x864_cmsv2_4f0852aa-773b-540e-8ffd-973de0bd6025-9893993.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"A voter casts a ballot during Iceland&apos;s referendum at Reykjavik City Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              A voter casts a ballot during Iceland&#8217;s referendum at Reykjavik City Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo\/Marco Di Marco<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\/Marco Di Marco\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspEmma De Ruiter\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1788017075\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-08-29 17:24:35 +02:00\">29\/08\/2026 &#8211; 17:24 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div 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height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-share-comment-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        In Reykjav\u00edk, voter turnout was higher by noon than at the same time during the 2024 parliamentary election, local media reported.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Iceland&#8217;s capital Reykjav\u00edk recorded a higher voter turnout in the high-stakes EU referendum by noon than at the same time during the country&#8217;s parliamentary elections in 2024, preliminary figures showed on Saturday.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In the hours after voters began casting their ballots in the referendum that will determine whether to reopen EU accession talks, 13.7% had voted by noon in the Reykjav\u00edk North constituency, compared to just over 10% in the 2024 election.<\/p>\n<p>In Reykjav\u00edk South, just over 14% had voted by noon, compared to just over 11% for the parliamentary election.<\/p>\n<p>More than 20% of voters cast early ballots in advance of election day, Iceland\u2019s national broadcaster R\u00daV said.<\/p>\n<p>A close race is expected, with a final poll on Friday indicating 50.4% of voters plan to vote yes and 49.6% no.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/39\/93\/808x539_cmsv2_ec74fd91-2614-510d-ad05-b8314e298193-9893993.jpg\" alt=\"Icelandic Prime Minister Kristr\u00fan Frostad\u00f3ttir casts her ballot at \u00c1lftam\u00fdrarsk\u00f3li polling station in Reykjavik, Iceland, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Icelandic Prime Minister Kristr\u00fan Frostad\u00f3ttir casts her ballot at \u00c1lftam\u00fdrarsk\u00f3li polling station in Reykjavik, Iceland, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026.<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Marco Di Marco<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Backers of EU membership say it\u2019s best for Iceland to get closer to its European neighbours to combat issues that don&#8217;t respect borders, such as climate change. They also say the euro would bring more stability than Iceland&#8217;s volatile kr\u00f3na currency.<\/p>\n<p>Opponents say the current setup is just right and that Iceland already enjoys all the benefits of European integration without the sovereignty compromises that inevitably come with full membership. They cite trade deals, such as one with China, that are more favourable.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think that we should be a part of a bigger unity. I think it&#8217;s worth looking into it,&#8221; Unnur Jokulsdottir, a 71-year-old retiree, said after casting her ballot in Reykjav\u00edk&#8217;s City Hall.<\/p>\n<p>In contrast, Olafur Thorsson, a 53-year-old fish trader, said he was sceptical.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I used to like the European Union back when it was a good thing. But today it&#8217;s become a sort of big economic prison,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>The country of just under 400,000 people applied to join the EU in the wake of a 2009 financial crisis that devastated its economy.<\/p>\n<p>Membership talks were then suspended in 2013 when a eurosceptic government came to power.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/39\/93\/808x539_cmsv2_b88f3e8f-fe89-5068-b6c8-3cfd3321da88-9893993.jpg\" alt=\"A voter places a ballot into a ballot box at Reykjavik City Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">A voter places a ballot into a ballot box at Reykjavik City Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026.<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo\/Marco Di Marco<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A yes vote would trigger renewed negotiations with the European Commission covering 35 areas, from the economy to human rights.<\/p>\n<p>The issue of fisheries \u2014 a pillar of Iceland&#8217;s economy and over which Reykjav\u00edk wants to retain exclusive control \u2014 would have to be hammered out with Brussels, which this time around appears more willing to compromise.<\/p>\n<p>On the global stage, the return of war in Europe with Russia&#8217;s invasion of Ukraine has shaken established security doctrines.<\/p>\n<p>Trump&#8217;s unpredictability and his threats to take over neighbouring Greenland \u2014 which he has mixed up with Iceland on several occasions \u2014 have added to Icelanders&#8217; concerns.<\/p>\n<p>Their island is strategically located in the sub-Arctic, has no military and depends on NATO and a 1951 bilateral agreement with the United States for its defence.<\/p>\n<p>The result of the vote will be followed closely by the EU, which has not welcomed a wealthy, net contributor to its budget since 1995.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-contributors c-article-contributors-supplementary u-margin-top-2 u-padding-top-2\">\n<p>Additional sources<strong> \u2022 AP, AFP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Iceland goes to the polls in high-stakes EU referendum<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Iceland\u2019s EU referendum: What to know ahead of vote and what&#8217;s at stake for Europe<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Polls too close to call in Iceland&#8217;s pivotal EU membership referendum <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Icelandic politics<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Referendum<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  EU enlargement<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Iceland<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div 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President of the European Council\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iceland&#8217;s reckoning moment: What the referendum means for the EU<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" 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content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2919400-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/34\/89\/320x180_cmsv2_f71039f4-ea95-5172-85f9-9e7a7ea27e84-9883489.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Kristr\u00fan Frostad\u00f3ttir, Prime Minister of Iceland, and Ant\u00f3nio Costa. President of the European Council\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iceland&#8217;s reckoning moment: What the referendum means for the EU<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921322-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921322\" data-cid=\"9892933\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018Disgusting\u2019: Donald Trump faces backlash for posting AI image of him and Dolly Parton<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921232-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921232\" data-cid=\"9893458\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ceuta &#8216;on the brink of collapse&#8217; as Spain seeks Frontex support<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921258-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921258\" data-cid=\"9892639\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iceland goes to the polls in high-stakes EU referendum<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921342-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921342\" data-cid=\"9893355\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    C\u00e9line Dion concerts: Canadian star returns to Paris after six years away from the stage<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921351-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921351\" data-cid=\"9893240\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How Canada\u2019s turn toward Europe might test the EU&#8217;s borders<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Iceland&#8217;s capital Reykjav\u00edk recorded a higher voter turnout in the high-stakes EU referendum by noon than at the same time during the country&#8217;s parliamentary elections in 2024, preliminary figures showed on Saturday.In the hours after voters began casting their ballots in the referendum that will determine whether to reopen EU accession talks, 13.7% had voted by noon in the Reykjav\u00edk North constituency, compared to just over 10% in the 2024 election.In Reykjav\u00edk South, just over 14% had voted by noon, compared to just over 11% for the parliamentary election.More than 20% of voters cast early ballots in advance of election day, Iceland\u2019s national broadcaster R\u00daV said.A close race is expected, with a final poll on Friday indicating 50.4% of voters plan to vote yes and 49.6% no.Backers of EU membership say it\u2019s best for Iceland to get closer to its European neighbours to combat issues that don&#8217;t respect borders, such as climate change. They also say the euro would bring more stability than Iceland&#8217;s volatile kr\u00f3na currency.Opponents say the current setup is just right and that Iceland already enjoys all the benefits of European integration without the sovereignty compromises that inevitably come with full membership. They cite trade deals, such as one with China, that are more favourable.&#8221;I think that we should be a part of a bigger unity. I think it&#8217;s worth looking into it,&#8221; Unnur Jokulsdottir, a 71-year-old retiree, said after casting her ballot in Reykjav\u00edk&#8217;s City Hall.In contrast, Olafur Thorsson, a 53-year-old fish trader, said he was sceptical.&#8221;I used to like the European Union back when it was a good thing. But today it&#8217;s become a sort of big economic prison,&#8221; he said.The country of just under 400,000 people applied to join the EU in the wake of a 2009 financial crisis that devastated its economy.Membership talks were then suspended in 2013 when a eurosceptic government came to power.A yes vote would trigger renewed negotiations with the European Commission covering 35 areas, from the economy to human rights.The issue of fisheries \u2014 a pillar of Iceland&#8217;s economy and over which Reykjav\u00edk wants to retain exclusive control \u2014 would have to be hammered out with Brussels, which this time around appears more willing to compromise.On the global stage, the return of war in Europe with Russia&#8217;s invasion of Ukraine has shaken established security doctrines.Trump&#8217;s unpredictability and his threats to take over neighbouring Greenland \u2014 which he has mixed up with Iceland on several occasions \u2014 have added to Icelanders&#8217; concerns.Their island is strategically located in the sub-Arctic, has no military and depends on NATO and a 1951 bilateral agreement with the United States for its defence.The result of the vote will be followed closely by the EU, which has not welcomed a wealthy, net contributor to its budget since 1995.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/08\/29\/icelands-eu-referendum-sees-high-preliminary-voter-turnout-in-expected-close-race&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/39\/93\/1200x675_cmsv2_4f0852aa-773b-540e-8ffd-973de0bd6025-9893993.jpg&#8221;] Europe News 50-boat flotilla sails to Ceuta amid migration tensions Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | August 29th, 2026 \u2013 Evening No Comment Music, lights and drones: Uzbekistan celebrates 35 years of independence Kazakhstan Kazakhstan\u2019s gov&#8217;t steps down as new parliament holds first session Europe News 50-boat flotilla sails to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2118228","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118228","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2118228"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118228\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2118228"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2118228"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2118228"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}