Hungary's Approval of Sweden's NATO Membership Awaits as Turkey Ratifies
BUDAPEST, Hungary - As Turkey recently completed its ratification of Sweden's bid to join NATO, Hungary remains the last member of the military alliance yet to give its approval. This delay has brought attention to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his conservative populist government. Despite prior assurances that Hungary would not be the last NATO member to ratify Sweden's request, Orbán's government is now in the spotlight as fellow allies question when Budapest will follow Ankara's lead.
Orbán has consistently stated that Hungary supports Sweden's NATO membership, but lawmakers within his governing Fidesz party remain unconvinced. They are offended by what they perceive as 'blatant lies' from certain Swedish politicians who have criticized the quality of Hungary's democracy. Critics of Orbán, however, argue that there is no division within his party and that the prime minister alone has control over Hungary's approval of Sweden's NATO membership.
While Turkey had presented specific demands to Sweden as preconditions for supporting their bid to join NATO, Hungary's government has not made such requirements. They have only hinted at expecting a higher level of respect from Stockholm. Hungary's opposition parties, in favor of Sweden's NATO membership, have made several attempts to schedule a vote on the matter, but Fidesz party lawmakers, who hold a two-thirds majority in parliament, have consistently opposed it.
In late February, the opposition plans to force a vote on Sweden's membership before the scheduled session. However, the chances of Orbán's party supporting the initiative are considered 'very little.' Critics argue that Hungary's reluctance stems from Orbán's desire to assert his influence on the international stage rather than any substantive concerns about Sweden or Turkey.
Meanwhile, Orbán extended an invitation to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to negotiate Sweden's NATO membership in Budapest. Although Kristersson has not publicly commented on Orbán's letter, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström mentioned that there is no reason to negotiate with Hungary since Budapest has not presented any conditions for accepting Sweden into the alliance.
Orbán tweeted on Tuesday that he had spoken with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, reaffirming Hungary's support for Sweden's NATO membership. He also expressed his commitment to urging his parliament to approve Sweden's bid. However, experts, like Dorka Takacsy, an analyst and research fellow at the Centre for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Democracy, suggest that Orbán's invitation to Kristersson proves that it is ultimately Orbán himself who holds the fate of Sweden's NATO membership, regardless of parliamentary discussions.
A vote on the protocols for Sweden's NATO accession is not yet on Hungary's parliamentary agenda, and unless an emergency session is called, the matter is unlikely to be addressed until late February. These delays, combined with Orbán's close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, have frustrated other NATO allies who seek to expand the alliance and provide security guarantees to Sweden amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The conduct of Orbán's government on the international stage has raised concerns among opposition lawmakers, like Agnes Vadai, who worry that Hungary's relationship with its Western partners has been damaged. She believes that Orbán's actions are pushing Hungary to the outskirts of NATO, ultimately marginalizing the country.
As Hungary's approval of Sweden's NATO membership hangs in the balance, it remains to be seen when Budapest will follow suit and grant their endorsement. However, the current situation underscores Orbán's dominant role in the decision-making process and raises questions about Hungary's commitment to its Western alliances.
