Iceland's intimately fought referendum connected whether to resume rank talks with the European Union is going down to wire, with the effect excessively adjacent to call.
Based connected the archetypal 153,197 votes counted of the 270,000 voters eligible, 50.1% rejected the government's proposal, portion 49.9% said yes, nationalist broadcaster RUV said, with conscionable 435 votes splitting them.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir's centre-left authorities promised to clasp a referendum by 2027, but brought it guardant due to the fact that of planetary tensions, including US President Donald Trump's threats against Greenland.
However, statement successful this land federation of astir 400,000 radical centred much connected its sportfishing manufacture alternatively than information concerns.
Already portion of the EU's azygous marketplace and Schengen border-free zone, EU rank would bring Iceland into the customs national and yet the euro.
Iceland began its exertion to articulation the EU successful 2009 successful the aftermath of the 2008 fiscal situation and the illness of Iceland's banking system.
Its exertion was already good precocious erstwhile a eurosceptic authorities came to powerfulness successful 2013 and enactment talks connected hold. Fishing rights was the biggest obstacle past - arsenic it remains today.
Fish and marine industries relationship for astir 40% of Iceland's exports and galore No voters feared they would cede immoderate power of their lucrative sportfishing grounds nether the EU's communal fisheries policy.
The referendum run has fuelled statement astir Iceland's spot successful the world, Frostadottir said aft casting her ballot successful the superior connected Saturday.
"This is simply a large day, we've been waiting for this for years to beryllium capable to person a vote," Frostadottir said, adding that her authorities would proceed its enactment careless of the outcome.
The question connected the ballot was: "Should Iceland resume accession negotiations with the European Union?"
A Yes ballot would not beryllium a last determination connected joining the EU, but a determination towards an accession agreement, which would past person to beryllium approved by a 2nd referendum.
Equally, the No ballot would not regularisation retired the accidental of Iceland resuming talks successful the future.
While economical issues dominated the referendum campaigns, information concerns besides featured.
Iceland is simply a laminitis subordinate of Nato but it has nary subject and relies connected its allies for defence.
The state has backed Ukraine during Russia's full-scale penetration and officials person been alarmed by Russia's accrued maritime manoeuvres adjacent the island.
Trump's expressed involvement successful taking implicit Greenland has besides raised concerns.
English (US)·