Iceland rejects EU membership accession talks in referendum, with 52.8% voting No

In a vote held on Saturday August 30, 52.8% of Icelanders voted against their government's proposal to begin EU accession talks, while 47.2% voted in favour, according to official results from broadcaster RUV. The government had framed the vote as a "now or never" moment, with Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir warning that a No vote would put all EU speculation aside indefinitely. The outcome is a blow to Brussels, which had been willing to compromise on fisheries and other issues to welcome Iceland as a new wealthy EU member.