It's official

Iceland is not coming into the EU and not because the EU does not want them to but because they (for reasons that remain mysterious for many in Brussels and other capitals) have decided that the idea does not appeal to them.

Iceland’s bid to join the EU has come to an end, Iceland’s centre-right independence party leader Bjarni Benediktsson has said.

The eurosceptic politician made the statement in an interview with Icelandic news outlet mbl.is on Tuesday (21 May).

The 43-year old Benediktsson is in discussion to shape a new government with the centrist progressive party, following elections on 27 April. The progressives also oppose joining the EU.

So that's that with regards to that one. Of course, it is much easier to stay out than to get out once you are in.

Bloomberg reports: Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, who will take over as prime minister this week, has decided that a January decision to freeze EU membership talks will be extended indefinitely, his political adviser Johannes Thor Skulason said in a phone interview today.

“Later in the term there will be a referendum on whether Iceland should continue the talks, although no date has been decided,” Skulason said.

That is the time to have a referendum: when you are still negotiating on whether to continue with those negotiations. Should the Icelanders vote "yes", which is highly unlikely, there will be another referendum after negotiations had been completed on whether to join.