REYKJAVIK: Icelanders have voted to remain out of the European Union, broadcaster RUV reported on Sunday (Aug 30), rejecting a authorities push to reopen membership talks and siding with those that mentioned Iceland’s fishing waters had been too vital to danger.
Some votes from one constituency are pending however these weren’t anticipated to alter the result, RUV mentioned.
A ‘no’ vote would disappoint Brussels, as some officers had forged the island nation of 400,000 as a low-risk case that might ease scepticism towards EU enlargement and strategically strengthen the bloc when Arctic safety is in focus.
The federal government has framed membership as a protect in opposition to trade wars and Arctic rivalry and introduced the referendum as a “now or by no means” second, with Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir warning {that a} “no” would put the membership query apart.
The federal government is because of maintain a press convention at 1pm.
DECADES OF MEMBERSHIP DEBATE
Iceland first utilized to hitch the EU in 2009 when a monetary disaster hit the nation’s small, uncovered economic system. A Eurosceptic authorities ended talks in 2013.
Geopolitical turmoil, together with conflict within the Center East and US import tariffs, has introduced urgency to a problem Icelanders have debated on and off for many years.
“Sure” campaigners have mentioned becoming a member of the bloc might assist to decrease rates of interest and provide extra safety in a world unsettled by the conflict in Ukraine and US President Donald Trump’s rhetoric about annexing another Arctic island, Greenland.
“No” campaigners mentioned EU membership would threaten the island’s sovereignty and fishing waters.
The referendum marketing campaign has fuelled debate about Iceland’s place on the earth, Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir informed reporters after casting her poll within the capital on Saturday.
“We have been ready for this for years to have the ability to have a vote,” Frostadottir mentioned, including that her authorities would proceed its work whatever the consequence.
INTEREST RATES AND THE COST OF LIVING
Debates inside Iceland have targeted on rates of interest, fishing rights and the price of residing quite than on safety.
Iceland has grappled with excessive inflation and rates of interest which have made mortgages costly. Supporters of a “sure” vote have mentioned EU membership, and presumably adopting the euro, might deliver reduction. Iceland’s central financial institution rate of interest is 8 per cent, in contrast with 2.25 per cent on the European Central Financial institution.
“It will not resolve Iceland’s structural faults, nevertheless it might turn into a catalyst to a extra wholesome economic system,” mentioned chief economist Vilhjalmur Hilmarsson at Viska, considered one of Iceland’s largest labour unions.
Opposition chief Gudrun Hafsteinsdottir, who has led the “no” marketing campaign, mentioned the financial case is overstated. “These should not issues that Brussels will resolve for us. These are issues that Icelandic politicians should resolve,” she mentioned.
Voter Ragnhildur Skarphedinsdottir, 70, mentioned Iceland was managing effectively by itself and that she was voting “no”.
“By staying unbiased as we’re, we glance brightly to the long run,” she mentioned earlier than casting her poll in Reykjavik.
Beneath EU guidelines, fishing quotas are primarily based on historic fishing patterns, amongst different components. Some Icelandic officers have mentioned Iceland would due to this fact retain management of its waters, since no EU nation has fished there for many years.
Hafsteinsdottir disputes that. “I do know that the European Union will provide you with some guarantees of some flexibility, particularly at first, however we all know that it’s going to not be for good,” she mentioned.
