REYKJAVIK — The “yes” camp held a slim majority early Sunday in partial results of Iceland’s referendum on whether to start accession talks with the European Union, according to the RUV broadcaster.
\n\nBased on the first 87,000 votes counted of the 270,000 voters eligible, some 51.2% supported the government’s proposal to restart negotiations, while 48.8% said no, RUV said. There was no information available on turnout.
\n\nA reliable result might not be available until midday Sunday, election officials said. Voting ended at 10 p.m., kicking off a complex operation to bring ballots from towns and rural polling stations by plane, boat or car.
\n\nOn Friday, a Gallup poll suggested a narrow majority opposed the government’s proposal of reopening negotiations, a slight shift from earlier surveys that pointed to a narrow lead for supporters of renewed talks.
\n\n“Yes” campaigners backing talks say joining the bloc could ease high interest rates and offer more security in a world unsettled by the war in Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats over another Arctic island, Greenland.
\n\n“No” campaigners argue EU membership would threaten the island’s sovereignty and fishing waters.
\n\nThe referendum campaign has fueled debate about Iceland’s place in the world, Prime Minister…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/