Hungary’s Parliament Votes to Ratify Sweden’s NATO Membership, Ending Months of Delays
In a historic move, Hungary’s parliament has voted to ratify Sweden’s bid to join NATO, putting an end to more than 18 months of delays. The decision comes as a relief to the alliance, which has been eager to expand its membership in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The vote, which saw 188 votes in favor and only six against, marks the culmination of months of negotiations and efforts by Hungary’s allies to convince its nationalist government to lift its block on Sweden’s membership.
Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, hailed the decision as a “historic day” and expressed his country’s readiness to contribute to NATO’s security. In a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter), Kristersson wrote, “We stand ready to shoulder our share of the responsibility for NATO’s security.”
The delay in Hungary’s approval of Sweden’s membership was largely attributed to the strained relations between the two countries. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a right-wing populist with close ties to Russia, had criticized Swedish politicians for their criticism of Hungary’s democracy. This had led to reluctance among lawmakers in Orbán’s Fidesz party to support Sweden’s entry into NATO.
However, the recent meeting between Orbán and Kristersson in Hungary’s capital seems to have paved the way for reconciliation. The leaders announced the conclusion of a defense industry agreement, which includes Hungary’s purchase of four Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen jets and the extension of a service contract for its existing Gripen fleet. Orbán emphasized that these additional fighter jets will significantly enhance Hungary’s military capabilities and strengthen its role in joint NATO operations.
Orbán also addressed lawmakers before the vote, highlighting the importance of Sweden and Hungary’s military cooperation. He criticized Hungary’s EU and NATO allies for pressuring his government to move forward on Sweden’s integration into the alliance. Orbán asserted Hungary’s sovereignty, stating, “Hungary is a sovereign country, it does not tolerate being dictated by others, whether it be the content of its decisions or their timing.”
The vote on Sweden’s NATO accession was just one of the many matters on the agenda for Hungary’s parliament. Lawmakers also voted on accepting the resignation of President Katalin Novák, who stepped down amidst a scandal involving her decision to pardon a man convicted of covering up child sexual abuses. Following Novák’s resignation, Tamás Sulyok, the president of Hungary’s Constitutional Court, is expected to be confirmed as the country’s new president.
Despite some opposition parties boycotting the vote and calling for direct presidential elections, Sulyok’s nomination by Orbán’s Fidesz party, which holds a two-thirds majority in parliament, is expected to secure his presidency easily. Once Sulyok assumes office on March 5, his signature will be needed to formally endorse the approval of Sweden’s NATO bid, which is expected to happen within the next few days.
With Hungary finally giving its backing to Sweden’s NATO membership, the alliance can now move forward with its expansion plans. This decision not only strengthens NATO’s security but also signifies a significant step in Sweden’s commitment to international cooperation and collective defense. As tensions continue to rise in Eastern Europe, the addition of Sweden to NATO’s ranks will undoubtedly enhance the alliance’s capabilities and send a clear message to Russia that aggression will not go unanswered.