Defense alliance
Hungary’s parliament wants to vote on Sweden’s accession to NATO
View of the Hungarian Parliament building. photo
© Marton Monus/dpa
After hesitation and offended reactions to criticism from Sweden, Hungary is likely to soon approve the northern European country’s accession to NATO. It is unclear whether there were concessions from Stockholm.
Committees in the Hungarian Parliament had already approved the ratification of the accession protocol, but the approval of the plenary session was still missing. Fidesz had delayed this final step to admit Sweden into the Western defense alliance out of anger over criticism from Sweden about the constitutional situation in Hungary.
“We of course welcome this,” Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said on Tuesday. He spoke at a press conference in response to a question about the news from Hungary.
Joining NATO has been delayed for a long time
Most recently, Fidesz representatives made a visit to Budapest by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson a condition for ratification. It was unclear whether such a visit would take place soon. Government-affiliated media in Hungary reported that preparations were underway. Kristersson had stated that an appointment was being sought.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in his state of the nation speech on Saturday that Sweden had taken steps that could lead to reconciliation on the issue. Orban did not say what steps those were supposed to have taken. Government-affiliated media then reported without citing sources that Hungary was to receive four Gripen fighter planes from Sweden. No details were given about this supposedly planned operation. Hungary has been aiming to purchase them since 2022. The country already has 14 military aircraft of this type from Sweden on a leasing contract that expires in 2026. The machines then come into the possession of Hungary.
In addition to Hungary, Turkey had also long delayed the ratification of Sweden’s accession to NATO. The green light for this from parliament in Ankara was only given at the end of January. Orban recently denied that there had been an agreement with Turkey on this matter – after other leading Fidesz politicians had confirmed that they were in discussions with Ankara about this.