9/30/2009

Why are Icelanders unhappy with the EU application?

The results of the last opinion poll produced in Iceland on the attitute towards membership of the European Union not only showed a large majority against joining the EU but also a majority unhappy with the application for membership the Icelandic government issued in July.

This probably came as a surprise to many people since earlier polls had shown a large majority for membership talks with the EU. However, at the same time polls were usually showing a majority opposed to an EU membership application.

This simply supports what those against EU membership in Iceland have been claiming for years that the majority of Icelanders don't want a formal EU application but some kind of an informal scouting talks just to see exactly what the EU has to offer.

So in short the Icelandic people don't support the government's EU application. No wonder that we have never before seen as much opposition to EU membership in the polls.

9/15/2009

Never as much opposition to EU membership in Iceland

A new opinion poll was published today (September 15) in Iceland showing more opposition to membership of the European Union than has ever been seen before. The poll was produced by Capacent Gallup for the Federation of Icelandic Industries but its leadership favours joining the EU.

According to the poll 43.2 percent of Icelanders are unhappy with the EU application the Icelandic government delivered in July after it was being accepted narrowly by the Althing, the Icelandic parliament. 39.6 percent are happy with the application.

More than half of Icelanders, or 50.2 percent, are opposed to joining the EU while 32.7 percent favour the step. In another poll by Capacent Gallup published in August where the same question was asked 48.5 percent were against EU membership and 34.7 percent were in favour.

Finally 61.5 percent said they would vote against EU membership if a referendum was held now, 38.5 percent said they would vote in favour. Of those 38.6 percent said they would definitely vote against but only 16.1% said they would definitely vote in favour.

The poll was produced from August 25 to September 10, 1649 people were polled and 52.3 percent participated.

Sources:
Fleiri andvígir en hlynntir ESB-aðild (Morgunblaðið September 15, 2009)
Andstaðan við aðild að ESB er í hámarki (Vísir.is September 15, 2009)
Andstaða við Evrópu­sambandsaðild í hámarki (Amx.is September 15, 2009)