Icelandic voters have rejected a government proposal to reopen European Union accession talks, with final referendum results showing 52.8% against and 47.2% in favour on turnout of 82.5%. The Saturday ballot asked whether Reykjavik should resume negotiations suspended more than a decade ago, not whether to join the bloc; any future membership deal would still need a separate public vote. Only two constituencies in central Reykjavik backed a Yes, while rural areas and Reykjavik suburbs voted No. Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir said the outcome ends the debate for as long as her centre-left coalition remains in power and that Iceland will focus on deepening existing ties through the European Economic Area shared with Norway and Liechtenstein, noting public satisfaction with that arrangement. She plans to call Norway’s prime minister. A European Commission spokesperson said the EU respects the choice and remains a close partner. Opponents, led by fishing interests and opposition leader Gudrun Hafsteinsdottir, argued that control of fishing waters and sovereignty outweighed potential gains on inflation, interest rates and Arctic security. Fishing contributes about 15% of GDP directly and indirectly and roughly 40% of export revenue. Iceland applied to join in 2009 after its financial crisis; talks were halted in 2013. Supporters had framed membership as a shield against trade wars and Arctic rivalry and pointed to Iceland’s 8% central bank rate versus 2.25% at the European Central Bank, but researchers and No campaigners said there was no economic or security urgency requiring EU entry.