New poll on EU membership in Iceland

New poll in Iceland on the attitude of the Icelandic people towards EU membership produced by Capacent for the Farmers Association of Iceland and published today (February 28). The results are as follows:

33.2 percent in favour of EU membership (thereof 9.4 percent totally in favour, 7.2 percent very much in favour and 16.6 percent rather in favour).

56 percent opposed to EU membership (thereof 28.4 percent totally opposed, 11.3 percent very much opposed and 16.3 percent rather opposed).

26.8 percent trust the Icelandic government to defend the interests of the Icelandic people in Iceland's accession process to the EU.

58 percent do not trust the Icelandic government to defend the interests of the Icelandic people in Iceland's accession process to the EU.

A total of 1.173 people were polled with 68.7 percent participating.

This is in line with previous polls.

Sources:
Aðeins þriðjungur hlynntur ESB-aðild (Vísir.is February 28, 2010)
Meirihlutinn á móti ESB-aðild (Mbl.is February 28, 2010)

Icelandic companies say no to the EU

New poll which was released in Iceland today shows that about 60 percent of the leading people of Icelandic companies believe that Iceland is better placed economically outside the EU. Only 31 percent think the country would be better placed within it. This is in line with the last polls on the attitude of Icelanders in general towards EU membership.

Certain people in the Icelandic business community have been among the most powerful lobbyists for EU membership in recent years. A year ago a similar poll showed a totally different attitude towards the EU by the majority of the leading people of Icelandic companies. So this is seen a big news and yet another shock for the Icelandic pro-EU side.