Saturday's referendum saw 52.8% of voters oppose restarting EU accession negotiations, against 47.2% in favor — a setback for Brussels, which had hoped the vote would produce a positive "domino effect" encouraging further enlargement.
Le Figaro argued the outcome carries symbolic weight far beyond Iceland's small population of 400,000. The island nation, whose per-capita GDP surpasses Germany's, had been widely viewed as an "ideal candidate" for membership, with some in Brussels reportedly expecting its accession as early as 2028.
Its "no" vote, the paper said, is "an affront" to the image Europe has cultivated as a geopolitical power capable of competing with American, Russian and Chinese influence, from Ukraine to Canada.
Practically speaking, little changes: Iceland remains tied to Europe through the European Economic Area, keeping its access to the single market and the Schengen zone.
But the political message resonated among EU lawmakers. Belgian MEP Saskia Bricmont called the result unambiguous, saying "Europe no longer inspires enthusiasm". Italian MEP Sandro Gozi described it as "a warning that Europe should take seriously", urging the bloc to become more democratic, more effective and closer to its citizens.
The vote also underscores a broader stall in EU enlargement, which has not admitted a new member since Croatia joined in 2013. Le Figaro suggested future expansion is likely to focus on poorer, often corruption-plagued candidates such as the Western Balkan states, Moldova and war-torn Ukraine.
Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009 during the global financial crisis, but accession talks stalled in 2013 amid fears over the eurozone's stability.
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Source: PAP