After years of delays and debate, Iceland’s ruling coalition has agreed to let its people decide the country’s future relationship with the EU. Iceland submitted an EU membership application in 2009, during the global financial crisis that caused its economy to collapse.

However, in 2015, the right-wing government at the time decided to suspend talks without a referendum, sparking mass protests. 

Joining the EU has always been a sensitive issue in Iceland, mostly due to concerns over fishing which is Iceland's most important economic sector. Compliance with the EU's Common Fisheries Policy has led Icelanders to fear they will lose control over their fishing resources.