After almost two years of waiting, negotiations and tensions, the last obstacle was lifted this Monday, February 26 for Stockholm. The Hungarian Parliament has ratified Sweden’s accession to NATO, the final step for the Nordic country wishing to join the Atlantic Alliance since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A vote approved by an overwhelming majority of deputies (188 votes out of 199 seats).
Hungary was the last country to block the Scandinavian state’s entry into NATO, since Turkey’s favorable vote last January. Budapest criticized the Swedish government in particular for positions considered aggressive towards it, particularly on the question of respect for the rule of law and its more than ambiguous relationship with Russia. Thus, if Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had long ago given his agreement in principle, before completing the process, he demanded “respect” from Stockholm, after years of “denigration” of his policies.
A decisive visit
The last element to unblock the situation was probably the visit of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to Budapest, this Friday February 23. A military contract was notably signed there, with the purchase by Hungary of 4 Swedish combat aircraft.
At the opening of the parliamentary session this Monday, the head of the Hungarian government Viktor Orban welcomed the recent visit of his Swedish counterpart, an essential step in building “a fair and respectful relationship between the two countries”, beyond “differences of opinion”. “Sweden’s entry into NATO will strengthen Hungary’s security,” also added Viktor Orban, strongly criticized in Europe for his proximity to Moscow despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
For his part, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson hailed Monday as “a historic day” on the social network X (formerly Twitter). “Sweden is ready to assume its responsibilities in terms of Euro-Atlantic security”, almost two years after starting the accession process, he added. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, for his part, judged that Sweden’s membership will make the Alliance “stronger”, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed a decision which “strengthens” the “security of the Europe and the world.
Things should now significantly accelerate in the coming days for Stockholm. In Hungary, the law ratifying accession should be promulgated in the coming days by the President of the Republic. Sweden will then be able to deposit its “instrument of accession” in Washington, in accordance with the NATO treaty. In the case of Finland, for example, Ankara gave the green light on March 30, 2023 and Finland submitted the document on April 4, therefore joining the Alliance five days after the Turkish vote. It is therefore not impossible that Sweden will officially become the 32nd member of NATO by the end of the week.