The Hungarian Parliament supported the decision by a vote of 188–6. The decision still requires the signature of the Hungarian president. The president is scheduled to sign the ratification decision in the next few days.
Today, Monday, the Hungarian Parliament has voted in favor of ratifying Sweden’s NATO membership.
Of the members of the Parliament, 188 voted for the decision and six against.
The decision still requires the signature of the Hungarian president. The president is scheduled to sign the ratification decision in the next few days. The Swedish Broadcasting Corporation of SVT according to the signature, it will take five days.
Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson tells the message service X about Hungary’s decision, which it considers historic.
– Today is a historic day. The parliaments of all NATO member states have now voted in favor of Sweden’s membership. Sweden is ready to shoulder its responsibility for Euro-Atlantic security, Kristersson writes in X
Finland’s retreating president Sauli Niinistö congratulated Prime Minister Kristersson in his message written in Swedish in X.
– We are looking forward to our neighbor joining the alliance. This also complements our own membership, Niinistö writes.
Also the Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg says he is satisfied with Hungary’s decision.
– Now that all allies have accepted membership, Sweden will become the 32nd NATO ally. Sweden’s membership makes us all stronger and safer, Stoltenberg writes in X.
Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz says, for his part, that Sweden’s NATO membership is a “win for all of us†.
– It is good that the Hungarian Parliament has voted in favor of accession today. The decision will strengthen the defense alliance and thus the security of Europe and the world, says Scholz.
In his speech, Orbán urged the parliament to accept Sweden’s membership
Before the actual vote, the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban delivered the opening speech of the parliamentary session. In his speech, Orbán urged the parliament’s lawmakers to accept Sweden as a member of NATO.
– The military cooperation between Sweden and Hungary as well as Sweden’s accession to NATO will strengthen Hungary’s security. That’s why I ask you legislators to approve the law on Sweden’s accession to NATO in today’s vote, Orbán said.
Orbán’s Fidesz party already expressed its support for the ratification of Sweden’s membership. In addition, all opposition parties except the far-right Kotimaamme party expressed their support for ratification.
The fighter treaty accelerated Hungary’s decision
Orbán met his Swedish official brother Ulf Kristersson on Friday in Budapest. After the meeting, Orbán announced the progress of Sweden’s NATO membership negotiations.
– We have managed to clarify our common good intentions, Orbán told reporters after the agreement between Sweden and Hungary for four Swedish Saab Gripen fighters the purchase had been signed in connection with the meeting of the prime ministers. Hungary already has 14 Saab Gripen fighters.
Before the ratification decision, Hungary repeatedly said that it supports Sweden’s NATO membership in principle. However, it prolonged the process by demanding Sweden to stop “smearing†the Hungarian government. In the EU, Hungary has accused Swedish officials of having “intensely scolded Hungary†in matters of the rule of law.
Hungary was the last NATO member country to accept Sweden’s NATO membership.
Sources: Reuters, STT
Story updated on February 26 at 7:01 p.m.: Added information from SVT that the signing will take five days.
Story updated on February 26 at 8:26 p.m.: Added video about Stockholmers’ views on Hungary’s decision.