On Monday, Hungary’s parliament voted to ratify Sweden’s application to join NATO, thereby concluding over 18 months of delays that have impeded the alliance’s efforts to expand in response to Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
The conclusion of months in which Hungary’s allies endeavored to persuade its nationalist government to abandon its opposition to Sweden’s membership was marked by the approval of the outcome, which was achieved with 188 votes in favor and six against. The protocols for Sweden’s entrance into NATO were submitted by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government in July 2022; however, the matter was halted in parliament due to opposition from governing party lawmakers.
The second NATO membership expansion in a year, following the May 2022 expansion, was facilitated by Hungary’s ratification of Stockholm’s bid.
Hungary is the final of the alliance’s 31 members to provide its endorsement, following Turkey’s ratification of the request last month. Uniform support among NATO members is necessary for the admission of new countries.
Ulf Kristersson, the Swedish prime minister, described it as “a historic day.”
Kristersson stated on X, which was previously known as Twitter, that “We are completely prepared to assume our portion of the accountability for ensuring the security of NATO.”
Orbán, a right-wing populist who has established close relationships with Russia, has stated that the criticism of Hungary’s democracy by Swedish legislators has soured relations between the two countries and resulted in reluctance among lawmakers in his Fidesz party.
Nevertheless, Orbán informed legislators prior to the vote that “the security of Hungary is bolstered by the military cooperation between Sweden and Hungary, as well as Sweden’s accession to NATO.”
Orbán expressed his disdain of the European Union and NATO allies of Hungary for applying pressure on his government in recent months to expedite the process of Sweden’s accession to the alliance.
“Several external parties attempted to mediate our disputes with Sweden; however, their efforts were ineffective and actually impeded the resolution of the matter,” Orbán explained. “Hungary is a sovereign nation.” The organization is opposed to having the timetable or content of its decisions dictated by others.
Over the weekend, a bipartisan delegation of United States senators visited Hungary and announced their intention to present a unified resolution to Congress. The resolution will denounce Hungary’s putative regression toward democracy and urge the Orbán administration to allow Sweden’s union with NATO.
Ambassadors from numerous NATO nations were present in the parliamentary chamber during the deliberation on Monday. The consent of Sweden was of “strategic significance” to the trans-Atlantic alliance, the United States of America, and Hungary, according to David Pressman, the United States ambassador to Hungary, according to reporters.
Pressman declared, “This has been a protracted decision-making process, and we are avidly anticipating the project’s rapid completion.”
The president’s signature is necessary for the official endorsement of Sweden’s NATO candidacy, which was expected to occur in the coming days.
During their encounter last week in the capital of Hungary, Kristersson, the prime minister of Sweden, and Orbán appeared to have reached a definitive reconciliation after months of diplomatic tensions.
Subsequent to their meeting, the leaders announced the completion of a defense industry agreement. Hungary will acquire four JAS 39 Gripen aircraft, which are built in Sweden, and its current Gripen fleet will have its servicing contract extended, according to the agreement.
Orbán asserted that the supplementary fighter aircraft will improve Hungary’s ability to participate in joint NATO operations, “substantially increase our military capabilities, and further consolidate our role abroad.”
“In order to be NATO members in conjunction with another nation, we must be prepared to risk our lives for one another,” Orbán stated. “The restoration of confidence between the two nations is facilitated by an agreement on military and defense capabilities.”
On Friday, Robert Dalsjo, a senior analyst at the Swedish Defense Research Agency, informed The Associated Press that Hungary’s final cessation of opposition took place only after Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkey ratified Stockholm’s bid in January.
Dalsjo declared that his government was required to demonstrate results for its delays following Orbán’s decision to become the final NATO holdout, as a consequence of the Turkish decision.
“Orban could execute some pirouettes and maneuvers by concealing himself behind Erdogan.” The Griffin deal was necessary for Orban to demonstrate that his change could be legitimized, as he was unprepared to modify his posture when Erdogan changed his stance.
The decision made on Monday was merely one item on the exceedingly busy agenda of Hungarian parliament members. Furthermore, a vote was conducted to determine whether to accept the resignation of President Katalin Novák, who submitted her resignation earlier this month in response to a public controversy surrounding her pardon of an individual who was convicted of concealing a series of child sexual assaults.
Tamás Sulyok, the current president of Hungary’s Constitutional Court, is expected to be appointed as the nation’s new president by legislators after he accepts Novák’s resignation. He is expected to formally assume office on March 5.
