The Althing, Iceland's parliament, completed its first debate regarding a proposed national referendum on the continuation of negotiations for EU membership. The debate, which lasted until late evening, included discussions where members of the opposition used unprepared questions to query government ministers about the proposal. This created an environment of scrutiny and engagement, reflecting the importance of the topic on the legislative agenda.

Inga Sæland, the Minister of Education and Children, was notably questioned about her voting stance but refrained from revealing her intentions, stating that it was nobody's business how she would vote in the potential referendum. This highlights the sensitivity surrounding individual positions on EU negotiations within the current political climate, especially as various factions in the parliament express differing views on Europe and membership.

Following this initial discussion, the matter will advance to a second round of debate and will be referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Althing. The progress of this proposal is significant, as it indicates a shifting landscape in Iceland's foreign policy sentiments and the complexities surrounding national decisions involving EU membership, which have long been contentious in Icelandic politics.