Majority Want EU Referendum

Although half of Icelanders are against joining the European Union, a great majority also want a referendum on continuing accession talks – and most of them would vote in favour.

RÚV reports that of those who participated in the Gallup survey, 72% said they want a referendum on whether or not to continue accession talks, which were put on hold before parliamentary elections last April.

At the same time, respondents were also asked how they might vote in such a referendum. Of those, 59% said they would definitely or probably vote in favour of continuing accession talks until completion. 41% said they would definitely or probably vote in favour of talks being stopped.

Parallel to this, those in favour of joining the EU has increased over the past four years. In 2010, 26% of Icelanders favoured joining the EU whilst 59% were against it. Today, 37% of Icelanders are in favour of accession, with 47% opposed.