Hungary in the spotlight after Turkey presses on with Sweden’s bid to join NATO

By JUSTIN SPIKE
Associated Press

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The Hungarian parliament has refused a proposal to hold a vote on Sweden’s bid to join NATO, further delaying the Nordic country’s inclusion in the military alliance. The delay on Tuesday comes as Hungary remains the main hurdle to Sweden’s admission into NATO after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan submitted a protocol to Turkey’s parliament on Monday to approve its admission. All 31 allies must endorse the accession. The governing Fidesz party led by populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán who is widely considered one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s only allies in the EU has stalled Sweden’s bid since July 2022.