Iceland and the EU: A Frosty Romance Revisited
09 September 2024
Iceland first sought EU membership together with election results in 2009, when the Social Democratic Party was elected, driven by economic turmoil after its banking collapse. Back then, euro seemed safer than krona, and talks to accession started with fisheries and farming as red lines. But talks froze at the end of the term in 2013, when less EU-friendly government took charge. Since then, polls showed strong opposition to EU membership—until February, when more Icelanders supported EU membership (40.8%) than opposed it (35.9%). Following the recent elections results in Iceland, a potential coalition between Social Democrats and Liberals could bring EU accession talks back to the table.
 | Marta Casares Lara Iceland's part of the EEA, enjoying free movement with the EU—but is that enough? The debate has outgrown krona vs. euro or fishing and farming rights. Global shifts like the Ukraine war and Nordic NATO moves are shaking things up. Could Iceland be ready to claim a bigger role in Europe? |
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