After Iceland voted ‘no’ to joining the EU, what’s the status of European enlargement? Nine candidate countries are waiting in line, but so far none is as close to accession as Iceland would have been.
In a close vote, 52.8 percent of Icelanders voted against joining the bloc, while 47.2 percent accepted.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
The vote comes as the EU accelerates its enlargement push. There are currently nine official candidate countries, including Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, Montenegro, and several Western Balkan states, while Kosovo is considered a potential candidate.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine created new geopolitical urgency.: Brussels sees enlargement as both a way to expand the single market and promote democratic reform, and a tool to strengthen Europe.
Adding new members will expand the EU’s single market; 56 percent of European citizens currently support further enlargement. But expanding the bloc adds pressure on the EU budget, complicates decision-making among states, and creates disputes over funding and influence.
To be considered for accession, candidates must align with EU law across 33 policy chapters (policy areas) grouped into six clusters. The final say belongs to member states, though, as accession decisions require unanimity across all 27 EU countries. The last country to join the bloc was Croatia, in 2013.
Should the EU open its doors for more countries to join? Is the process strict enough? Our poll is anonymous and takes only a few seconds to complete. The results will be featured across XL's EU-wide coverage, including videos, articles and newsletters, and will help shape our reporting as we examine how Europe can secure its position in the age of artificial intelligence.