Iceland fears a "Brexit moment" ahead of the referendum on closer ties with the EU

The Vice Prime Minister of Iceland accused internal and external groups of 'alarmism' and spreading disinformation regarding his country, especially in the context of the referendum on joining the European Union. The coalition government, made up of left and center-right parties, decided to hold the referendum at the end of summer, surprising many, considering that a later date had previously been announced.

This decision was influenced by the threats from the United States to annex Greenland. Iceland applied to join the EU in 2009 but withdrew from negotiations in 2013. Recent polls show a divided opinion among citizens, with 42% in favor of negotiations. Supporters of accession believe it would enhance security, while opponents fear the impact on natural resources. The Vice Prime Minister emphasized that foreign influence on the referendum will not be tolerated, and President Halla Tómasdóttir warned of the risks of disinformation generated by artificial intelligence. If Iceland decides to resume negotiations, they could progress quickly, considering that the country meets most of the accession criteria.