Icelanders protest government decision to deny EU referendum

Plans for Iceland's parliament to start work on a bill abandoning EU membership talks were held up on the 24 February 2014 following public protests.

Around 3,500 people demonstrated in front of the Parliament against the decision by the ruling Independence and Progressive parties to end the talks and cancel plans for a referendum.

The two governing parties had agreed on the 21 February 2014 that the country's application to join the European Union should be formally withdrawn.

Protests continued on the 25 February 2014 as Parliament continued to debate the issue.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Iceland: respecting decision and remaining open http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-iceland-respecting-decision-and-remaining-open/

Euronews, 25.02.14: Tempers flare in Iceland over withdrawn EU membership bid http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/25/tempers-flare-in-iceland-over-withdrawn-eu-membership-bid/

Iceland Review, 24.02.14: Icelanders Protest Government’s Plans to Stop EU Talks http://icelandreview.com/news/2014/02/24/icelanders-protest-governments-plans-stop-eu-talks

EurActiv, 26.02.14: Icelanders protest against bill to end EU membership talks http://www.euractiv.com/enlargement/icelanders-protest-bill-eu-membe-news-533765

ESO: Background information: Iceland and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/iceland-and-the-european-union/

Iceland Review, 25.02.14: Three Thousand Protest outside Parliament http://icelandreview.com/news/2014/02/25/three-thousand-protest-outside-parliament

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