Iceland PM Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir has announced that the newly-elected parliament will vote on membership to the European Union in a referendum later this summer.
Sigurdardóttir told a press conference that a bill authorizing EU accession talks would be introduced to the Althing when it resumes this Friday, and an application for membership should be going to Brussels no later than July.
A public vote on EU membership was originally to be held, but the offer was withdrawn after Sigurdardóttir based her plan for digging Iceland out of the economic downturn on joining the union. Parliamentary coalition party the Left-Greens have been steadfast in their opposition to joining the EU.
Chairman of the Left-Greens Steingrímur J. Sigfússon said it had proven difficult for many of his party members to approve this item of the government agreement.
Sigfússon, who is also the Finance Minister, called the bill “a compromise,” adding,”when it comes to voting on the resolution, the members of parliament will only be bound by their own conscience.”
European Union commissioner Olli Rhen said last January that Iceland could be fast-tracked and become a member by 2011.
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