'Visit Orban first': Hungary presents new condition for Sweden to join NATO | outside

Fidesz, the parliamentary group of Orban's party, announced this condition on the Hungarian channel ATV. In addition to Fidesz, the Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP) is also part of the government coalition.

Hungary is the only country among NATO's 31 member states that has not yet ratified Sweden's accession. Budapest is delayed because the government says it is “offended” by criticism from Sweden over the state of the rule of law in Hungary.

Christerson and Orban met briefly on Thursday on the sidelines of the European Union summit in Brussels. The Swedish Prime Minister told the press that he had a “good conversation” with the Hungarian leader. He has indicated that he wants to travel to Budapest only once Hungary ratifies the agreement.

The Hungarian left-liberal opposition called for a special session of parliament to approve Sweden's accession. This session is currently scheduled for February 5. Fidesz and the National Democratic Party announced that their representatives would not attend the hearing. Parliament Speaker László Kóvier, a Fidesz politician, was forced to allow the session because the opposition had enough votes.

Sweden and Finland jointly applied for membership in May 2022, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Finns became members of NATO nearly a year ago.