Preliminary counts from public broadcaster RUV show opponents of restarting
accession talks with the 27-member EU leading 50.1% to 49.9% after most ballots
were tallied. Votes from districts that favored the opposition remain
outstanding; official results are due Sunday afternoon local time. Campaigning
focused on sovereignty and control of fisheries and agriculture. Iceland
participates in the EU single market via the European Economic Area; a rejection
would be a setback for the EU’s bid to revive enlargement after a 13-year stall
and is being viewed as a test of its geopolitical credibility.
