This is the seventeenth edition of UK in a Changing Europe’s regulatory divergence tracker, outlining how UK and EU rules and regulations have aligned and diverged in the period April-September 2026.

Conor J. Kelly and Colin Murray discuss what would happen next if one of the major parties pulled out of the Stormont...

Margrét Einarsdóttir reflects on the result of the recent referendum in Iceland that saw the public narrowly vote against reopening accession talks with the European Union.

London has lobbied intensely to secure equal treatment for British products but continues to rule out a customs union

Radical-right parties are expected to do well in upcoming elections in four of the EU's biggest member states. If successful, they could prevent the union from addressing key challenges ahead.

Montenegro's 2028 EU accession timeline is at risk unless it resolves soon its bilateral disputes with Croatia over war crimes, maritime borders, and property claims. #EuropeNews

European officials warn the U.K. would be playing a high-risk game if it delays an upcoming summit over Brussels’ protectionist push.

Making Canada the EU’s first ‘associate member’ may be a solution in search of a problem.

British finance minister will indicate to EU counterparts that London is willing to negotiate to reach ‘reset’ deal

Berlin opposes fast track to EU ‘associate membership’ for Canada, with officials warning Ottawa risks angering other partners

Government sources say legislation aimed at China poses a risk to British businesses and must be addressed

'We're really much more focused on getting concrete results,' said the Canadian EU-envoy

European Commission president proposes a new “Alliance for the Future” to build on existing trade EU-Canada trade agreement.

Summit pushed back until late November against backdrop of challenges facing UK industry

Carney reportedly seeks ‘associate’ EU membership as Ottawa-Washington ties hit fresh low. He will address the European Parliament next week. #EuropeNews

In this week's newsletter, RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak drills down on one issue: Iceland’s EU referendum.

Icelanders vote on Saturday in a referendum on resuming membership talks with the EU.

Iceland will hold a referendum on 29 August 2026 on whether to resume negotiations with the European Union (EU) on membership. The resurgence of great-power competition in the strategically important North Atlantic has created an increasingly uncertain and unstable environment in which smaller states feel particularly affected. NATO and the EU have generally provided important strategic shelters for smaller states. While traditionally the EU’s primary role has been strongest in economic security, it is also becoming increasingly significant in geopolitics and security matters.

Exclusive: Hamish Falconer wants ‘sense of renewed pace’ in post-Brexit talks while staying within Labour’s red lines

Iceland’s government backs a Yes vote but warned that foreign interference will not be tolerated

Candidate countries hope for progress after years of inaction, but some in Brussels are still uncertain about enlargement

Foreign minister sets red lines ahead of referendum this month on reopening talks to join bloc

Negotiations between London and Brussels are continuing ahead of a summit, which has yet to be rescheduled after Britain’s change of government.

Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir casts the Aug. 29 vote on reopening accession talks as a question of Iceland’s hard-won sovereignty.

The recent deal again illustrates that closer alignment with the EU offers the best of both worlds

The opposition leader wants to pull the UK out of the ECHR, wrecking treaties from the Good Friday agreement to the Gibraltar deal, says economics commentator Simon Nixon

Written evidence submission publications for Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee.

The close ally of Keir Starmer was delivering the prime minister’s reset with the European Union.

Council greenlights signature and provisional application of EU agreement with Andorra and San Marino.

Troubled EU entry system will be turned on from Wednesday, with UK territory in effect becoming part of Schengen zone

Politicians brace for constitutional turmoil if Nigel Farage’s party end up in government – or even as a strong opposition

Deal to reset post-Brexit relations with bloc has been further delayed

Joël Reland argues that the Lib Dems' call for the UK to join the EU single market may not survive contact with political reality.

Katy Hayward and David Phinnemore consider why voters in Northern Ireland have stronger convictions and opinions on Brexit – in both directions, and the political implications of this.

The EU will redirect Western Balkans reform funding towards frontrunners Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia, as other countries are struggling to keep up with reform deadlines. #EuropeNews

Firms lose “tens of millions” in business as they face two sets of charges.

The Commission has advocated a stronger Union through enlargement, and has put a very modest pricetag on Montenegro's accession

Ten years on, and what did you learn, as my twice-refugee Grandfather used to ask late in his life and early in mine. Well, there’s been little space for reflection, between the endless…

Iceland is confident about getting a good deal but concerned over new probation rules for new EU members

Five prime ministers — and maybe soon a sixth — have wrestled with Brexit. None has found a lasting solution for the U.K.’s border with its nearest EU neighbor.

The scheme would offer candidate countries EU perks before membership — without the political rights that doomed earlier proposals.

In this week's briefing, RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak drills down on one issue: EU enlargement as Ireland takes over the EU presidency.