On Monday, the Hungarian parliament approved Swedens application to join NATO, removing the last barrier to the military alliances expansion, which was prompted by Russias invasion of Ukraine. With the vote, over a year of delays coming to a conclusion, fellow NATO allies became enraged as Ukraine fought Russian forces.Ulf Kristersson, the prime minister of Sweden, declared it to be a historic day.A look back...Russias invasion in February 2022 forced Sweden and Finland, a neighbour, to renounce their long-standing non-alignment position and apply to join the union. However, Swedens application was delayed, despite Finland joining the US-led security alliance as its 31st member in April of last year. It was ratified by Turkey only last month.Hungary at the rescue! Hungary eventually joined on Monday, with 188 lawmakers voting in favour and six opposing Swedens entry. In a statement to X, Kristersson expressed his excitement on the historic day as Sweden stood ready to shoulder its responsibility for Euro-Atlantic security, said the PM.Today is a historic day. The parliaments of all NATO member states have now voted in favour of Swedish accession to NATO. Sweden stands ready to shoulder its responsibility for Euro-Atlantic security.— SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) February 26, 2024Viktor, the prime minister of Hungary, had urged other MPs to support Swedens proposal earlier on Monday.The Swedish-Hungarian military cooperation and Swedens accession to NATO will strengthen Hungarys security, Orban stated in parliament. Swedens proposal was backed by Orbans nationalist Fidesz party, which has a two-thirds majority in parliament thanks to its ruling coalition with the Christian Democratic KDNP. This was announced before the vote. All opposition parties supported ratification, with the exception of the far-right Our Homeland organisation.NATOs 32nd member...Hungary maintained delaying the process by requesting Stockholm to cease vilifying the Hungarian government, despite its repeated declarations that it favoured Swedish membership in principle. Budapest said that the Swedish authorities were very keen to bash Hungary, it seems, over matters pertaining to the rule of law.Following their meeting in Budapest on Friday, Orban, the nationalist leader of Hungary, declared that Kristersson and he had explained our mutual good intentions.
