Patriots for Europe sees Iceland’s rejection of EU talks as a «verdict on Brussels»
Patriots for Europe has welcomed the outcome of the referendum held in Iceland on whether to resume negotiations on joining the European Union. The European sovereignist group believes that the rejection by Icelandic voters also sends a message to EU institutions.
«Iceland’s vote is a verdict on Brussels», the group said in a statement issued after the result was announced. According to figures cited by Patriots for Europe, 52.8% of voters opposed reopening accession talks, while 47.2% backed the move. Turnout stood at 82.5%.
The group argues that the result reflects growing scepticism towards the model of integration promoted by Brussels and believes the Icelandic decision goes beyond a debate over the Nordic country’s relationship with the European Union.
Iceland as an example of cooperation without EU membership
Patriots for Europe argues that the result shows that EU membership is no longer necessarily seen as a priority even by prosperous and democratic European countries.
In its statement, the group highlights Iceland’s close relationship with the European Union through various agreements. The country is part of the European Economic Area and the Schengen Area, although it is not an EU member.
In the group’s view, this demonstrates that it is possible to maintain close economic and political ties with EU countries without fully joining the Union’s institutional structure.
Defending national sovereignty
The European group has used the result to reaffirm its vision of a Europe based on sovereign states. Patriots for Europe argues that Iceland has shown that a country can preserve its prosperity and international relations without giving up control over its own institutions.
The group believes Icelandic voters have rejected the possibility of transferring greater decision-making powers to Brussels and presents the result as evidence of opposition to growing centralisation within the EU.
According to Patriots for Europe, the Icelandic experience shows that cooperation between European countries does not necessarily have to involve deeper political integration. Following the result, Patriots for Europe has called on European institutions to respect the decision expressed at the ballot box and not attempt to reinterpret the outcome.
The group argues that Europe’s future should be built on cooperation between independent countries rather than through a further concentration of powers in EU institutions.
«Europe’s future does not lie in a centralised EU superstate, but in cooperation between free and sovereign states», the group concluded in its statement.
