A recent Gallup survey revealed that 52% of Icelandic respondents favor applying for European Union membership, while 48% oppose it. Þorgerður, leader of the pro-European party Viðreisn, mentioned that sometimes decisions shouldn’t solely depend on polls. As a member of the European Economic Area and Schengen zone, Iceland has already integrated many EU regulations into its legal system, which could facilitate a smoother accession process, pending a positive vote from the public on resuming negotiations.

Gunnarsdóttir, another political figure, indicated that the conclusion of negotiations for EU accession would likely be straightforward, expecting it to be a fast process if Icelanders vote in favor of restarting discussions. The article also raises the question of whether Iceland could surpass Montenegro in the EU accession race, given its already established connections to the EU through the EEA and Schengen. Þorgerður acknowledged that while it is possible, the primary challenge would be related to Iceland's fishing industry, which is a significant issue in EU negotiations.

The implications of Iceland's potential EU membership extend beyond national politics, as it would mark a notable shift in the European integration landscape. With the EU seeking to expand and solidify its influence, Iceland's accession could provide economic and strategic advantages to both Iceland and the EU. It remains to be seen how both Icelandic voters and EU member states will respond to this potential shift in membership dynamics.