Ruling parties in Hungary delay ratification of Sweden's NATO membership
Illustrative photo (Photo: Getty Images)
The ruling parties of Hungary will not participate in the vote on Sweden's NATO accession on February 5. They will wait for a meeting between the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, and the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, according to the ATV portal.
According to reports, neither the Fidesz nor the Christian Democratic People's Party factions will participate in the extraordinary session of the parliament where issues related to Sweden's NATO accession will be discussed on February 5. These factions hold two-thirds of the necessary votes.
As stated by their representatives, they would await the meeting between the two prime ministers before the final vote.
The ratification of Sweden's NATO membership by Hungary
Hungary had previously promised not to be the last to ratify Sweden's NATO membership. However, the parliamentary vote in Hungary has been postponed several times.
On January 23, the Turkish parliament ratified Sweden's NATO membership application, and on January 25, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan approved this ratification. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged his parliament to take a similar step.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg believes that Hungary could ratify Sweden's membership in the alliance when the parliament reconvenes, which may happen at the end of February.
