Hungary has given its approval to Finland’s NATO application, but Sweden’s application has not yet been ratified. According to a statement from the Hungarian government, there are three reasons why Sweden’s application has not been approved.
The first reason is that Sweden has been critical of Hungary and has used its political influence to harm Hungary’s interests. The text highlights a statement from Ulf Kristersson where he criticized Hungary and called for pressure to be put on the Hungarian government.
The second reason is described as a “moral superiority” on the Swedish side, with the Koran burning incident being cited as an example. According to the statement, Sweden used the incident to hide its blatant racism.
The third reason cited is a lack of respect and a deteriorating relationship between the two countries.
Sara Svensson, a political science expert who lived in Hungary for many years, suggests that Hungary’s rejection of Sweden’s application might be a bargaining chip. She believes that Hungary wants certain Swedish actors to think before criticizing them and that this rejection might serve as a signal to allies in Europe that interference in other countries’ internal affairs is not okay.
On Monday, Hungary said yes to Finland’s NATO application, but the Swedish application has not yet been ratified. According to a text published on the Hungarian government’s website, there are three reasons why Sweden’s application is not approved.
The first reason stated is that Sweden “constantly undermines” relations with Hungary. Swedish politicians have repeatedly criticized the country and used their political influence to “harm Hungarian interests”, says the text, signed by Zoltán Kovács, spokesperson for the Hungarian government.
Among other things, a statement from Ulf Kristersson (M) from 2021 is highlighted where he is said to have said that the EU must work to break the development in Hungary and put pressure on the Hungarian government.
The Koran burning is included
Reason number two is what is described as a “moral superiority” on the Swedish side. The text highlights statements that Hungary would be anti-Semitic or led by an oppressive regime, but also the Koran burning earlier this year in front of the Turkish embassy.
Saying that the Koran burning was an “expression of freedom of speech” was a way of “trying to hide blatant racism” in the guise of moral superiority, according to the text.
The third reason is described as the “lack of respect” and that the relationship between the countries has deteriorated over the years.
“Hungary wants to negotiate”
Sara Svensson, docent in political science at the university in Halmstad and who lived for many years in Hungary says this about Hungary’s declaration:
– Hungary wants to put a negotiation card on the table. They might be able to get certain Swedish actors to make them think before criticizing Hungary. It is not realistic to change the whole tone, but maybe make them think before criticizing Hungary.
Sara Svensson has lived in Hungary for several years and was part of Aktuellt directly from Budapest:
– You can also imagine that it is a signal to allies in Europe – that it is not okay to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs.