Althingi to Debate EU Referendum Proposal

2026-03-09 - 10:16

Iceland’s parliament is set to debate a proposal to hold a national referendum on whether negotiations on joining the European Union should continue. As reported by RÚV, the motion was submitted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and is the sole item scheduled for today’s session of the Alþingi. What's the Story? Debate at the Althingi on a proposal to hold a referendum on continuing negotiations with the European Union Referendum proposed for Saturday, 29 August, announced at a government press conference on Friday National poll by Gallup indicates a majority support holding the referendum European Union flag. Photo: Håkan Dahlström. Flickr (Creative Commons) Membership Vote Plan Proceedings are due to begin after impromptu questions begin at 15:00. If approved, the proposal would ask voters whether Iceland should resume negotiations on EU membership. The referendum is intended to take place on Saturday, 29 August. Government representatives announced the planned timetable during a press conference last Friday. The debate is expected to draw significant attention inside parliament, where opposition parties have voiced strong objections to the government’s approach. Political divisions over Iceland’s relationship with the EU have been a recurring feature of national politics for more than a decade. However, recent polling suggests that the public may be more supportive of putting the question to voters. A national survey conducted by Gallup and published over the weekend indicates that a majority of respondents favour holding a referendum on whether negotiations should continue. For wider context, the issue of EU membership has been periodically revisited in Icelandic politics since the country suspended accession talks in 2013.