Eurosceptics laud Iceland's rejection of European Union referendum
Icelandic voters have rejected a referendum that would reopen negotiations to join the European Union, raising the spirits of eurosceptics both on the island and abroad.
TL;DR
- Icelandic voters rejected a referendum on reopening EU accession negotiations with 52.8% voting against.
- Eurosceptic politicians in Iceland and across Europe have lauded the referendum's outcome.
- Former Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð and Independence Party leader Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir expressed satisfaction and urged the government to respect the voters' decision.
- International eurosceptic leaders like Marine Le Pen and Nigel Farage celebrated Iceland's vote as a blow against the EU.
- Concerns about U.S. foreign policy under Donald Trump regarding Greenland, and security threats from Russia and China in the Arctic, were factors in Iceland's EU debate.