“The 'No' side succeeded because it tapped into the most fundamental driver of Icelandic national identity: the demand for absolute self-governance. This is inextricably linked to control over natural resources and fisheries, which forms the very heart of the Icelandic understanding of sovereignty,”

Eiríkur Bergmann · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-30

Eiríkur Bergmann explained why Icelandic voters chose to reject resuming EU accession talks.