Hungarian parliament says yes to Sweden joining NATO – key points Switzerland and more than 120 countries want to make investments in developing countries easier

What’s new?

The Hungarian parliament approved Sweden’s accession to NATO on Monday afternoon. The decision was clear: 188 MPs voted in favor of Sweden’s admission, only six voted against.

The clear result was no surprise: Prime Minister Viktor Orban had already secured his approval in advance. Previously, Hungary was the last NATO country to oppose Sweden’s acceptance.

What is still missing to participate?

Ratification only by the Head of State of Hungary. However, it is not yet entirely clear to whom this task belongs. After President Katalin Novak resigned over her involvement in a pedophilia scandal, the Hungarian parliament on Monday elected the former head of the Constitutional Court, Tamas Sulyok, as its new president. However, his official inauguration is not scheduled until March 5. Until then, Parliament Speaker Laszlo Köver will temporarily manage the affairs of the head of state.

Ratification would only be completed with the president’s signature – either Sulyok or Köver – and subsequent publication in the Hungarian Official Gazette. It is still uncertain when exactly this will be the case. The ratification document must then be formally filed with the US State Department in Washington, after which Sweden’s accession documents must also be transferred to the ministry – then Sweden will officially become a NATO member, Kristersson explained. A welcome party for Sweden could take place in the coming days, with the Swedish flag being raised in front of NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Why does Hungary suddenly say yes?

Viktor Orban explained on Monday that “bilateral disputes” had to be clarified in advance with Sweden. This happened “in a dignified manner” with the visit of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson last Friday. Orban emphasized that military cooperation agreements have also been concluded “for mutual benefit.”

In concrete terms, this concerns the purchase and maintenance of Swedish Jas 39 Gripen fighter jets. A corresponding agreement was signed on Friday during Kristersson’s visit.

What does Sweden say about the decision?

Sweden has welcomed the Hungarian parliament’s approval of its NATO application. It is “a historic day,” Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on the online platform X on Monday immediately after the vote in Budapest. Sweden is prepared to take its share of responsibility for NATO security.

What does NATO say about this?

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also welcomed the vote. Sweden’s NATO membership will make the alliance stronger and more secure, the Norwegian wrote on X.

What does Sweden bring to NATO?

Sweden is not only considered a geostrategicly important country for NATO, but according to the “Aargauer Zeitung” it also has “excellent infrastructure” – such as many airports, ports, railways and highways to quickly move weapons, vehicles and soldiers. Housing tens of thousands of foreign soldiers is also seen as Sweden’s responsibility in the event of a crisis.

The Swedish army has also become stronger in recent years. After a long period of austerity, the Scandinavian country has been rearmamenting since 2014 and has now reintroduced mandatory military service. The army now has 16,000 soldiers, 35,000 reservists and 10,000 civilian employees. By 2030, the population is expected to grow to 90,000 people.

The showpiece of the Swedish army is the air force with 94 Gripen fighter jets. In addition, 60 more jets have been ordered.

What does Hungary say about the war in Ukraine?

Prime Minister Viktor Orban maintains good relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Nevertheless, on Monday he described Russia as an aggressor in the conflict in Ukraine. This war, in which Russia attacked Ukraine, must end as soon as possible, he said. Hungary calls for an immediate ceasefire. Orban emphasized that he sees “no military solution,” but only an end to the war through negotiations.

On the other hand, Orbán’s Fidesz party showed again on Monday that it does not want to take a clear position against Putin. When an opposition representative in the parliamentary plenary requested a minute’s silence for Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who recently died in a Russian prison camp, the Fidesz parliamentarians and their coalition party KDNP (Christian Democratic People’s Party) demonstratively remained seated. Only the opposition representatives rose from their seats.

(dabbing, with material from Keystone-sda)