Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's deputies boycotted a parliamentary session on Sweden's accession to NATO, which will further slow down the country's accession to the Alliance. This was reported by Bloomberg.
Members of the Fidesz party did not show up for Monday's meeting, which the Hungarian opposition convened to ratify Sweden's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty. The next opportunity for ratification is scheduled for February 26, when the Hungarian parliament resumes work after the winter recess.
Hungary is the only NATO member that has not yet confirmed Stockholm's application. Orban has said his government supports Sweden's accession, but a bill to that effect has been stuck in parliament since mid-2022.
Orban's party lawmakers have promised to postpone ratification until the Swedish prime minister visits Budapest. They believe this visit is necessary to improve relations between the countries and resolve misunderstandings related to criticism of the situation with democracy in Hungary.
Fidesz stated: "If it is important to the Swedes, it is obvious that the Swedish Prime Minister should visit Budapest."
