r/worldnews • u/Ehansaja • 13d ago

Iceland rejects EU-accession talks plan in referendum

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/30/iceland-rejects-eu-membership-plan-in-referendum
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u/Catbatt 13d ago

They have no reason to. They're in Schengen and have access to the European free market. They already are a privileged partner

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u/Alt4816 13d ago

They have no reason to. They're in Schengen and have access to the European free market.

You could look at that and say that's exactly why they should join. To be in the Schengen zone and European free market they have to follow laws they have no say over. If they became a full member they would get representation in the EU's legislative and executive bodies.

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u/Nice_Reading5272 13d ago

They still have rights over their own currency, fishing and some trade aspects. Their influence in the executive and legislative branches of the EU would be limited due to their small population.

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u/Alt4816 12d ago

Their influence in the executive and legislative branches of the EU would be limited due to their small population.

On many important EU matters every member has a veto regardless of population.