Hungary’s Parliament Votes For Finland In NATO, Delays Sweden (Worthy News Radio)
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Hungary’s parliament overwhelmingly approved the inclusion of Finland into NATO on Monday, but delayed a vote on Sweden’s membership application.
Legislators voted with 182 “yes” and six “no” votes to expand the Western military alliance towards Finland, which shares a 1,340 kilometers (830 miles) long border with Russia.
However, the ruling Fidesz party of rightwing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, which dominates the legislature, refused to vote for Sweden.
Several parliamentarians had accused the Nordic nation of spreading “lies” about Hungary’s perceived troubled rule-of-law situation and lack of democratic credentials.
Fidesz parliamentary group leader Máté Kocsis said his party’s legislators would “decide on the case of Sweden later.”
Budapest has been at loggerheads with the European Union, which froze billions in euros in funding to Hungary amid concerns over corruption and a perceived lack of democratic values.
Hungary follows the example of Turkey, where President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he would only accept Finland’s NATO membership as Sweden protects “terrorists.”
PEACEFUL OPPONENTS
Rights activists say the alleged “terrorists” are peaceful political opponents of the Turkish leader.
Ankara seeks the extradition of dozens of Kurdish and other suspects it accuses of ties to outlawed militants and a failed 2016 coup attempt.
Yet Sweden’s parliament has voted in favor of joining NATO despite delays by Hungary and Turkey to ratify its membership bid, and even it will likely mean joining after neighboring Finland.
Under NATO rules, all 30 members must approve enlargement.
However, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said last week that he was still confident that his nation could become a member before the next NATO summit in Vilnius in July.
As the NATO entry was debated last week, some Swedish legislators claimed the vote would have no effect given the present situation.
“Although the bill states that ‘the amendment is proposed to enter into force at a date determined by the government,’ this means the date determined by Erdogan and (Viktor) Orbán, noted legislator Hakan Svenneling of the Left Party.
Only the Left Party and the Green Party oppose Sweden’s NATO membership which has enjoyed broad support in the country’s parliament.
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