Iceland’s parliament, the Althingi, votes to hold a referendum on whether the country should continue European Union accession talks. Multiple reports say the vote is scheduled for 29 August and follows approval of a parliamentary resolution. The decision supports the government’s stated two-step approach, under which Iceland proceeds with accession negotiations only after the referendum outcome.\n\nOne outlet notes that this is not the first time Iceland has considered joining the EU: in 2013, Reykjavik abandoned negotiations after four years of talks, when a Eurosceptic government took power. The current process is framed by supporters as a pathway that could, depending on the referendum result and subsequent negotiations, lead to possible membership in the EU later in the decade.\n\nSeparately, Iceland’s National Electoral Commission is reported to be already preparing for the referendum, indicating that administrative and logistical work is underway ahead of the 29 August vote. All sources describe the referendum as focused on continuing or proceeding with accession talks rather than immediate membership.