Iceland votes against EU membership proposal in referendum

Iceland has rejected the government's proposal to hold accession talks with the European Union, according to public broadcaster RUV. The 'No' camp received 52.5 percent of the votes, while the 'Yes' camp garnered 47.5 percent, with only a small number of ballots left to be counted in one of Iceland's six voting districts. RUV reported that the nation has decided against accession negotiations with the EU. The government had characterized its membership plan as a critical decision, with Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir stating in August that a 'No' vote would eliminate any speculation regarding EU membership. Proponents of joining the EU argued that it could help reduce high interest rates and provide more security amid global tensions, including the war in Ukraine and U.S. political rhetoric. Opponents claimed that EU membership would jeopardize Iceland's sovereignty and control over its fishing waters. Iceland initially applied to join the EU in 2009 during a financial crisis but halted talks in 2013 under a Eurosceptic government.