The referendum that could reopen the door to the EU. Icelanders are voting today on whether to resume accession negotiations with the EU.

Iceland, which suspended its EU accession negotiations in 2013, is holding a referendum today to decide whether to officially resume these negotiations. Although it became a candidate country in 2009, interest in accession has recently increased against the backdrop of the cost of living crisis and global security challenges, including the war in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir emphasized that the referendum provides an opportunity to involve the Icelandic people in decisions related to accession, considering that the negotiations in 2009 were not subject to a popular vote. Polls show that 51.3% of respondents support resuming negotiations, while 48.7% oppose. Even if voters decide to resume negotiations, the accession process could take years and would require economic and judicial reforms.

Iceland is part of the European single market and the Schengen area, already fulfilling many of the obligations of EU member states.