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, three reasons are given why Sweden is not approved.
The first reason given is that Sweden is "constantly undermining" relations with Hungary. Swedish politicians have repeatedly criticized the country and used their political influence to "harm Hungarian interests," the text, signed by Zoltán Kovács, spokesman for the Hungarian government, said.
Among other things, a statement from Ulf Kristersson (M) from 2021 was highlighted in which he allegedly said that the EU must work to break the trend in Hungary and put pressure on the Hungarian government.
Quran burning stands with
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 Quran burning earlier this year in front of Turkey's embassy.
Saying that the Quran burning was an "expression of freedom of speech" was a way of "trying to hide blatant racism" in a guise of moral superiority, according to the text.
The third reason is described as the "lack of respect" and that relations between the countries have deteriorated over the years.
"Hungary wants to negotiate"
Sara Svensson, associate professor of political science at Halmstad University and who has lived in Hungary for many years, says this about Hungary's explanation:
Hungary wants to put a negotiating card on the table. They may be able to get some Swedish actors to make them think before criticizing Hungary. It is not realistic to change the whole tone, but perhaps to make them think before criticising 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 the internal affairs of other countries.