Two of the ruling Fidesz party’s most high-profile politicians have already been forced to resign after it was revealed that a man who sheltered a pedophile was pardoned by President Katalin Novák.
There are demands that more people close to power who know about the case should also resign. And in this political upheaval that has bled the opposition, Prime Minister Orbán must devote every effort to limit the damage to the government and ensure that the scandal does not fall on him.
Kristersson’s visit not prioritized
In this situation, the demand for a visit by the Swedish Prime Minister is hardly the highest priority for him. At the same time, the date for the opening of Parliament is fast approaching.
The expectations from the other NATO countries that Hungary will then be the last country to approve Sweden are filled with irritation. And if Orbán sees the benefit in getting rid of a protracted dispute, the ratification may slide through parliament unimpeded – in the shadow of the pedophile scandal and its aftermath.
May delay Swedish membership
But the new situation could also become another obstacle on the way to Swedish NATO membership.
If Orbán and the governing party Fidesz want Sweden to continue to wait, a delay can be blamed on the Hungarian politicians having more important things to deal with first. Like getting a new president in place.
Nor is the parliament’s vote the very, very last step in Sweden’s long way into the alliance. The decision must also be signed by the president. And in the absence of one, by Speaker László Kövér. He is the one who played bad cop in the political game about Sweden and said that he himself does not want Sweden in NATO.
Orbán likely has the last word
During the weekend, Hungarian journalists have speculated on what will happen if it is Kövér who signs the parliament’s decision to let the Swedes in.
Many doubt that he is independent enough to act without the approval of party leader Orbán. But in his toolbox as a replacement for the president is the ability to send a decision back to parliament for new debate and a new vote.
Just in case there are political forces in Hungary who want to continue this line.