Turkish Parliament Votes in Favor of Sweden Joining NATO
After 20 months of demands, obstruction, and delay, the Turkish parliament has finally voted in favor of Sweden joining NATO. This decision marks a significant milestone in the expansion of the military alliance, which was set in motion by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan still needs to sign the ratification document, it is expected that he will do so. The only remaining holdout is Hungary, but Prime Minister Viktor Orban has indicated that he will not stand in the way.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed his gratitude for the Turkish vote, stating, “Today we are one step closer to becoming a full member of NATO.” The vote in the Turkish parliament was 287 in favor, 55 against, with four abstentions. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the outcome and expressed his hope that Hungary would complete its national ratification soon.
If both Turkey and Hungary approve Sweden’s accession to NATO, the alliance could formally welcome its 32nd member before its 75th anniversary this spring. This would mark a historic shift for Sweden, a country that has long maintained a policy of military nonalignment. By joining NATO, Sweden would bolster the alliance’s air and sea capabilities, improving its position in the Baltic Sea and the Arctic.
The decision to allow Sweden to join NATO comes after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine shook Europeans’ sense of security. The ruling parties in Sweden and neighboring Finland endorsed NATO membership as a way to ensure their safety within the alliance. However, Turkey emerged as the main obstacle during the approval process, using it to secure concessions and score domestic political points.
Turkey initially objected to Sweden’s membership due to concerns about groups it considers terrorist entities, such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). However, after negotiations, Turkey and Sweden reached an agreement on counterterrorism cooperation and the lifting of an arms embargo on Turkey. Analysts believe that Turkey’s main goal in securing Sweden’s NATO membership was to secure a deal to buy F-16 fighter jets from the United States.
The deal to transfer F-16s to Turkey has faced resistance from senior members of Congress, who have raised concerns about human rights violations and Turkish attacks on Kurdish U.S. allies in Syria. However, with the approval of Sweden’s NATO membership, it is expected that the deal will move forward.
Hungary, which also has ties to Putin, may be trying to extract concessions before approving Sweden’s membership. The Hungarian leader, Viktor Orban, has a history of acting as a spoiler of multinational agreements that go against Russia’s interests. However, it is expected that Hungary will ultimately approve Sweden’s accession to NATO.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has reshaped the security landscape in Europe and led to increased defense spending from countries that had previously been cutting their militaries. Sweden, which had maintained a policy of neutrality and nonalignment, gradually strengthened its ties to NATO over the years. It joined the alliance’s Partnership for Peace in 1994 and became an “Enhanced Opportunities Partner” in 2014 after Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
In conclusion, the Turkish parliament’s vote in favor of Sweden joining NATO is a significant development in the expansion of the military alliance. If Hungary also approves Sweden’s membership, NATO could welcome its 32nd member before its 75th anniversary this spring. This decision marks a historic shift for Sweden and will strengthen NATO’s air and sea capabilities in the Baltic Sea and the Arctic.
