Iceland's parliament votes to hold referendum on EU accession

Iceland’s parliament voted to hold an August 29 referendum to start European Union accession talks, following a two-step plan aimed at possible membership later in the decade. Iceland previously abandoned EU negotiations in 2013 after four years when a Eurosceptic government took power. Rising living costs and the war in Ukraine have renewed interest in joining, with opinion polls showing increased support but many undecided voters. If voters approve restarting talks, final EU membership terms would require approval in a second referendum. A “no” vote would end attempts to restart negotiations. Supporters say the first referendum lets voters see potential agreement terms, while EU membership would extend the bloc’s reach into the North Atlantic.

"Iceland's parliament on Thursday voted in favour of holding an August 29 ⁠referendum to begin European Union accession talks, supporting the government's two-step plan that could lead to membership in the 27-nation bloc ​later this decade."

"If voters back the resumption of talks, the final terms of EU membership will ​require ​approval in a second referendum, while a "no" vote would ⁠end attempts to restart negotiations, the government has said."

""The large proportion that has not finally decided if they want to join or not, many of them, of course, want ​the (first)referendum because they want to ‌see exactly what terms would be in a potential agreement," he said."

""Even though Iceland of course is a very small country, putting Iceland on the ​EU map ⁠would sort of have ​a symbolic advantage," Mr Hardarson said."

Read at Irish Independent