Iceland: A View from the Bridge

Economic, geopolitical, and institutional considerations suggest that, for Iceland, EU accession is no longer simply an economic choice but a strategic one. If the August 2026 referendum results in the resumption of Iceland’s EU membership negotiations, initiated in 2009, a second referendum will ultimately allow the Icelandic people to decide whether to join the European Union. Membership is both desirable and increasingly necessary—not only for its economic benefits, but also for the security, democratic governance, and rule-of-law advantages that closer European integration can provide. At a time when Iceland’s democratic credentials are eroding, EU membership offers an opportunity to strengthen the country’s resilience. (Forthcoming.)