EU Referendum Still On The Table, Says Finance Minister

Independence Party chairperson and Finance Minister Bjarni Benediktsson told parliament today that a national referendum on EU accession could still be in the cards.

RÚV reports that Bjarni addressed parliament this morning in response to a question from Bright Future chairperson Guðmundur Steingrímsson, who asked the minister whether the government has succeeded in its plan to create harmony in society, contending that “a state of war” is currently underway in the labour market.

Bjarni responded by saying that there are still several matters that need attending to, encouraging members of parliament to work together rather than create discord. In reference to recent harsh criticism of Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson’s unilateral letter to the EU declaring accession talks over, Bjarni said that a national referendum on whether or not to continue accession talks is still on the table.

The reassurance is in keeping with campaign promises made by both his party and Gunnar Bragi’s, the Progressives, that such a referendum would take place. The minister did not specify, however, when or how the referendum would take place.

Related:

EU: Foreign Minister’s Letter Doesn’t Count