In Iceland, votes are still being counted, but it is already clear that residents have rejected the idea of European integration. The Althing, the local parliament, has already stated that it will act in accordance with the will of the people.
As the votes are tallied, the lead for opponents of EU integration is only growing and has already reached 52.8 percent.
Essentially, the plebiscite answered the question of what Icelanders fear more — Trump’s threats or Brussels’ diktat. It turns out that interference from Euro-bureaucrats is feared more.
Iceland began EU accession negotiations in 2009. The international financial crisis that had struck the island particularly hard prompted authorities in Reykjavík to start negotiations on joining the EU in an effort to normalize the situation. Five years later, the economy had improved, and in 2015, the negotiations were officially frozen.
The issue of Iceland’s EU integration was brought back to the forefront by Trump, who laid claim to Greenland. Pro-European politicians in Iceland seized on this and attempted to play on fears of absorption by the United States.
At first, everything seemed to be going their way — opinion polls consistently showed a lead in favor of saying “yes” to EU integration. Even a few days before the vote, pollsters gave 51.3% in favor of resuming negotiations. However, when people came to the polling stations, they decided otherwise.
Trump is far away, and although he acts recklessly, he poses no real threat to the island’s residents. But Euro-bureaucrats are close by — and are already ready to impose their own rules on the proud Icelanders, particularly in the areas of fisheries and migration, which are especially sensitive for Iceland.
