Iceland asks EU to keep its distance ahead of membership vote

Icelandic authorities have asked the European Commission not to intervene in the country’s upcoming referendum on whether to resume long-stalled negotiations on European Union membership, Euractiv reports.

Icelanders are due to vote on August 29 on whether the country should continue its negotiations over potential EU accession. Although the government is campaigning for a “Yes” vote, Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir and Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir have stressed that the decision should be made solely by Icelanders.

“If people are looking to the EU for answers to questions, I do not think it is unreasonable for the EU to answer those questions,” Frostadóttir told Iceland’s parliament in June.

At the same time, the prime minister has warned that foreign interference in the referendum will not be tolerated. According to Euractiv, that message has also been conveyed privately to EU officials.

Despite the warning, a senior EU official said Brussels was exploring ways to support the “Yes” campaign without provoking Icelandic authorities.

“The Commission never intervenes in national elections or in referenda in any way,” a European Commission spokesperson said.

“The Icelandic authorities have called this referendum and it is for the Icelandic people alone to decide.”

Iceland’s Foreign Affairs Ministry declined to comment on the reports.

At least seven senior European political figures have visited Iceland in 2026, with most publicly backing the country’s move toward EU membership. They include representatives from Spain, Austria, Germany and Slovakia, as well as Valerie Hayer, leader of the liberal group in the European Parliament.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot visited Iceland in July and told local media that Iceland has “nothing to lose” by voting “Yes.”

Meanwhile, European Commissioner for Fisheries Costas Kadis said during a visit in April that Brussels could seek to persuade Icelanders by offering concessions on fisheries, a particularly sensitive issue in the country.

Opinion polls indicate a close contest. A survey published last week showed the “Yes” side narrowly ahead, while another released on August 6 put the two camps level, with 8% of voters still undecided.

If Icelanders vote “Yes,” another referendum on EU accession is expected after negotiations are completed.

By Vafa Guliyeva