Opponents of renewing EU talks lead in Iceland referendum

Opponents of resuming negotiations with the European Union are currently ahead in Iceland’s referendum, with vote counts from five of the country’s six electoral districts showing a majority against restarting the talks, according to data published by broadcaster RUV.

Some 52.5%, or more than 99,000 voters, have opposed resuming negotiations in the referendum. Meanwhile, 47.5%, or nearly 89,500 Icelanders, have voted in favor.

Opponents of the talks fear that EU membership would give other member states the right to fish in Icelandic waters.

Iceland first applied for EU membership in 2009, but in 2013, a government skeptical of the bloc halted the process. The country is already part of the Schengen Area and the European Economic Area (EEA).

By Jeyhun Aghazada