Independence Party Proposes Delay to EU Referendum

2026-03-18 - 11:33

A proposal to postpone Iceland’s planned referendum on continuing European Union accession talks has been put forward by the leader of the Independence Party. Speaking in the Alþingi, RÚV reports that Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir said she would seek to move the vote from 29 August to 17 October. What's the Story? Proposal by Independence Party leader Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir at the Althingi to move EU referendum from 29 August to 17 October Suggested changes to referendum question wording and request for review by the Venice Commission via the Foreign Affairs Committee Parliamentary process ongoing with committee review and second debate expected in May EU Flag flies in Iceland. Photo: Golli. Iceland Review. Vote timing debate “Its goal is to ensure adequate discussions and presentation on issues as important as this one, both within and outside the parliament,” she said. She also stated that additional time was needed to allow fuller discussion of the issue both inside and outside parliament. Later, Guðrún indicated she would propose changes to the referendum question, arguing that clarity was essential for voters. “The question that is put to the voters must describe the state of affairs in reality. Otherwise, the question is misleading and unclear and the outcome of the election is meaningless,” she said. In addition, she plans to request that the Foreign Affairs Committee seek guidance from the Venice Commission to ensure the wording meets legal standards. A second parliamentary debate on the proposal is expected in May, following committee review.