Members of Fidesz, the right-wing pro-Russia party of Hungary controlled by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, boycotted an emergency session yesterday of the Hungarian parliament that was going to consider scheduling a vote on accepting Sweden as a member of NATO. Hungary is the final holdout in NATO, after Turkey voted to accept Sweden's accession to the alliance. Fidesz holds an absolute majority of the Hungarian parliament, so their presence is necessary to move legislation. Yesterday's session was supported by Hungary's opposition parties, who lack the votes to convene a session.
There's growing anger within the NATO community and the European Union over Hungary's obstruction of Sweden's bid to join NATO, which would add a member with a commitment to democracy and a powerful military infrastructure. As a member, Sweden would add a strong element to the northern frontier of NATO, along with recently-accepted Finland and long-time member Norway.
Orbán has insisted on Sweden's Prime Minister visiting Budapest to "negotiate" before Hungary approves Sweden's NATO bid; Sweden has properly countered that there's nothing to negotiate and a meeting will be held after Hungary approves. Orbán and his Fidesz right-wing Putinists need to get a stronger message from NATO that stalling will diminish Hungary's national security (no weapons sales or military support). Our message to them would be "pick a team, Russia or the West. Sweden will be part of NATO whether you like it or not."
(photo: Bromance made in hell: Orbán and Putin. Maxim Shipenkov /AFP via Getty Images)
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