Hungary to possibly ratify Sweden’s NATO bid by Feb. 26

A vote on Hungary’s NATO membership bid could come as soon as next Monday, ending over 18 months of delays by the nationalist government, according to group leader, Mate Kocsis, of the ruling Fidesz party. 

Kocsis urged the vote to be scheduled for the opening day of the upcoming spring session in a letter to the parliament speaker on Tuesday.

Kocsis stated that Fidesz, which had previously blocked the vote, would now support Sweden’s bid to join the transatlantic military alliance.

The Hungarian government faces mounting pressure to act swiftly after more than a year of delay, as the admission of a new member to NATO requires unanimous approval.

During a visit on Sunday, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators expressed concerns about Hungary’s alleged democratic backsliding and announced plans to introduce a joint resolution in Congress.

They urged Prime Minister Viktor Orban to approve Sweden’s accession without delay.

Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, noted the Hungarian government’s refusal to meet with the delegation as “strange and concerning,” emphasizing the need for Orban to push for a prompt vote.

Source: Newsroom

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