Budapest, Feb 20 (EFE).- Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party Tuesday formally requested the assembly speaker to include the ratification of Sweden’s accession to NATO on the agenda for next week, signaling the potential resolution of the final obstacle in the long-awaited expansion of the military alliance.
The legislative group of the Fidesz urged the parliament to list it for the upcoming session on Monday.
Hungary is the only country that has not yet ratified Sweden’s entry into the Atlantic alliance.
Fidesz, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, known for his nationalist stance, has made a U-turn in its stance by expressing support for ratification, bringing an end to nearly two years of deliberation and delay.
“The parliamentary group (of Fidesz) wishes to support the proposal,” said the group’s leader, Máté Kovács, in a letter to the parliament speaker, László Kövér.
Orbán hinted on Saturday that parliament could kick off its spring session on Feb. 26 with a vote on Sweden’s accession to NATO.
The anticipated vote would mark the conclusion of a protracted process, characterized by consistent delays in ratification by Fidesz MPs, who cited alleged “unfair” criticism from Nordic politicians regarding Hungary’s democracy.
In the letter, Kovács urged parliament to prioritize the discussion on the first day of the session, pending confirmation upon the publication of the agenda.
For over a year, both Hungary and Turkey had obstructed Sweden’s NATO entry. Turkey eventually granted approval on Jan. 23, leaving Hungary as the sole holdout.
Members of the ruling party demanded “greater respect” from Sweden. On Feb. 5, they boycotted an extraordinary parliamentary session convened by the opposition to vote on accession.
Orbán, often seen as the European leader closest to Russian President Vladimir Putin, faces scrutiny over his geopolitical alliances. EFE
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