ISLANDIA | El país más rico del Atlántico Norte se plantea entrar en la Unión Europea | EL PAÍS

Can a geological phenomenon explain a country's political situation? In Iceland, it can. The Silfra rift, with its spectacular yet unpronounceable Almannagjá canyon, is splitting the island in two: the western third, home to its charming capital, Reykjavík, is slowly drifting away from the rest. The western part is pulling towards America; the eastern part, towards Europe. Just like Icelandic society itself, currently immersed in one of its most existential debates since its independence from Denmark in the mid-20th century: whether or not to join the European Union. To cede or not a portion of its sacrosanct autonomy in exchange for a protective umbrella and, who knows, perhaps even a taste of the euro. The road ahead is still long, but the reality is that it has never been closer than it is today. It considered the idea right after the financial crisis, a shock that left its society battered and several of its bankers imprisoned, but that pro-European impulse never quite materialized: its authorities ultimately abandoned its application for membership in 2015. A decade later, with a progressive and supportive government—which defends it, however, without enthusiasm or fanfare: in the far north, restraint reigns—and many anxieties, it faces a crucial referendum. Subscribe to our channel:    / @elpais   Visit http://elpais.com More videos from EL PAÍS: youtube.com/@elpais/videos Follow us on Facebook:   / elpais   Twitter:   / el_pais   Instagram:   / el_pais   TikTok:   / elpais   #Iceland #Europe #feature #politics #world