Iceland is one of the richest countries in the region and has no interest in joining the European Union, says analyst

After consulting the population about possible entry into the European Union, Iceland received a refusal. More than 80% of Icelanders participated in the plebiscite on August 29th and 53% voted “no”. The country had begun its attempt to join the bloc in 2009, in the midst of an economic crisis.

In an interview with BdF Connectionyes Radio Brasil de Fatopolitical scientist Florence Poznanski explains that Iceland is quite dependent on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) when it comes to protection policies. The denial of entry by popular vote is worse news for the European bloc, according to the analyst. “Iceland is currently one of the richest countries in the region and, therefore, has little interest in joining the European Union”, he summarizes.

Furthermore, the countries that make up the bloc are experiencing a period of crisis, with an increase in poverty and a reduction in social well-being, until recently a hallmark of Europeans. “This is the case of Germany, France, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway and even Switzerland, which, therefore, despite not being a member of the bloc, participates in this reality. This shows in fact that these countries that until then had a level of economic and social stability, with a welfare state, an instruction to defend human rights, are becoming weakened in relation to this”, he explains. “This is very worrying.”

Poznanski assesses that the Donald Trump government and the series of tensions in which the European bloc has become involved on behalf of the United States also have their share of responsibility for the crisis in which many European countries are experiencing today. One impact on the energy sector in the region is precisely the war in Ukraine, as many of the bloc’s countries depended on Russian gas. “With the boycott, prices increased. It’s the same thing that happens in the Strait of Hormuz with the increase in oil prices”, he mentions.

“The big problem is that the USA has its own agenda for resolving this conflict. In this context, the European Union is trying to take a leading role that it cannot achieve. This creates an important weakening”, he ponders.

In an attempt to get closer to American diplomacy, amid the taxes applied by Trump, the European Union has not been successful. “This movement ends up further weakening European autonomy and protagonism and further fueling this US war stance. So, in fact, the European Union is very weakened, including internally”, he highlights.

To listen and watch

During election hours, until October 1st, the newspaper BdF Connection airs in two editions, from Monday to Friday: the first from 12:25 pm to 2 pm, and the second, unchanged, from 5 pm, on Radio Brasil de Fato98.9 FM in Greater São Paulo, with simultaneous transmission also on YouTube do Brasil de Fato.