Hungary faces international pressure to approve Sweden’s NATO bid

Hungary stands at a crossroads, facing mounting international pressure to cast the decisive vote for Sweden's NATO membership. Despite the urging from both sides of the Atlantic, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's inner circle, including László Kövér, Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament, shows no signs of haste.

International pressure is mounting on Hungary to cast the decisive vote required for Sweden's admission into NATO. Budapest, nevertheless, seems to be taking its time even though Hungary is the last country left not to have approved the bid.
László Kövér, a close ally of Orbán, dismissed the idea of an emergency parliamentary session to fast-track Sweden's application, which is already approved by the other 30 NATO members. This stance is somewhat unexpected as Orbán promised NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg that the Swedish accession would be processed "at the first possible opportunity."

No urgency
The Hungarian Parliament, currently in recess, won't reconvene until next month, leaving Sweden's bid in limbo. "I do not feel that there is any urgency," Kövér stated to local media, unfazed by being the last holdout in the process. "Someone has to be last," he remarked.
Orbán, often viewed as the EU and NATO leader closest to Russia's Vladimir Putin, and his government have expressed discontent with Sweden's criticism of Hungary's rule of law, leading to the blocking of EU funds. "Sweden has behaved arrogantly towards Hungary," Kövér criticized, citing their negative portrayal of Hungary's government.
This reluctance comes even after Hungary promised not to be the last to ratify Sweden's NATO bid, a promise now seemingly broken. Earlier this week, Turkey, initially viewed as the major hurdle, voted overwhelmingly in favor of Sweden's application. Sweden's accession requires the formal approval of all 31 member states including Hungary.
Hungary’s opposition Socialist party said this week it would call for an extraordinary session to approve Sweden's NATO entry bid, stranded in the Hungarian legislature since mid-2022 despite repeated pledges by Orbán to support it.

US is watching
The delay in Budapest hasn't gone unnoticed in Washington. US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell expressed his expectation for Hungary to act promptly, saying, "Washington is watching." US Ambassador to Hungary, David Pressman, also urged Budapest to fulfill its commitment.
"The government of Hungary has been unambiguous and emphatic in its statement that it supports Sweden's accession to NATO. It has been equally clear in its commitment to not be the last to ratify Sweden's accession to NATO," Pressman said.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is actively seeking progress, suggesting a meeting in Brussels on February 1. Meanwhile, Orbán invited the Swedish premier to visit Hungary to discuss Sweden's NATO accession and how to foster deeper trust between the two countries.
As the Turkish approval came through, the German foreign ministry made a statement urging Hungary to complete the necessary steps. "It is high time for Hungary to conclude the remaining steps so that we can welcome our Swedish friends to the Alliance," the ministry said, highlighting the growing impatience among NATO members for Hungary's decision.