Hungary Could Be Last Sweden Holdout As Orban Calls For Kristersson Talks

In spite of assertions over the past 18 months that it would not be the final NATO member to ratify Sweden's NATO accession, the gov't of Hungary is seemingly on course to be so. On 22 Jan, reports claimed that the Turkish Grand National Assembly is moving towards a debate and vote on ratification this week, before sending to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for final approval. Then earlier today, Hungarian PM Viktor Orban posted on X: "Today I sent an invitation letter to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson for a visit to Hungary to negotiate on Sweden’s NATO accession."

• Orban has previously claimed that his gov't supports Sweden's accession, but that deputies from his right-wing populist Fidesz party have concerns about "blatant lies" from Swedish politicians about rule of law and EU standards in Hungary.
• It remains unclear what redress Hungary is seeking from Sweden in return for ratification of its bid. With Turkey the conditions of Stockholm cracking down on supporters of Kurdish groups that Ankara says are linked to the PKK (designated as terrorists by Turkey and the EU), the US moving forward with Turkey's purchase of F-16 fighter jets, and the lifting of arms embargoes by Canada and other NATO states, have been clear. However, the Hungarian gov't has not set down any clear objectives for Sweden to adhere to in exchange for ratification.
• Unless an emergency session is called, the Hungarian National Assembly does not reconvene until 26 Feb.