Published July 30th, 2009 by Future Atlas
Moving toward a Very Slightly Bigger EU
Icelanders and Norwegians have spoken up about joining the European Union.
Iceland is moving forward. A slim majority of the parliament have voted to support Iceland’s application, and voters are tepidly positive: 39% in a Gallup pole said EU membership “would be a good thing for their country,” while 27% said that it would be a “bad thing.”
As a very small country already in broad compliance with EU norms, Iceland is likely to move rapidly toward membership, if they so choose.
Norwegians remain more skeptical. In a recent poll, a plurality (49%) oppose joining the EU, while 39% favor it. This is a slight shift from the start of 2008, when 54% were in opposition, and 33% in favor.
Norway would also gain entry rapidly, but inclinations to independence, and oil wealth, may continue to keep them out.
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