The Social Democrats, who currently head the minority government and poll very strongly around the country mere weeks before the elections on 25 April, are by far the strongest supporters of joining the EU and adopting the euro. However, it should be noted that this emphasis has been toned down in recent weeks, possibly in light of the fact that nearly two-thirds of the nation is against joining the EU.
If there’s one thing the Conservatives, Leftist-Greens and Liberals are in agreement on, it’s the belief that Iceland’s interests are best served outside of the EU. The Leftist-Greens, however, emphasize that the matter should be put up to a national referendum – something with which the Social Democrats agree. They have also put forward the idea of a currency partnership with other countries; Norway in particular. It should also be mentioned that there is a growing voice of agreement among Conservatives with regards to joining the EU, although the official platform of the party remains against it.
The Progressive Party, at their national convention, concluded that preliminary negotiations with the EU should begin, and that joining should be a matter of referendum. This is a relatively recent change of attitude, although there have always been Progressives who regard joining the EU as a positive step for Iceland.
The Citizen’s Movement does not have an EU platform per se, but they did tell the Grapevine “We will seek ways to solve our currency problems by joining currency coalitions with other nations or, if need be, by the one sided adoption
of another currency.”