Hungary Rejects Rutte As NATO Chief But Signs Sweden’s Membership

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has signed a bill allowing Sweden’s entry into NATO, but Budapest declined to endorse Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the next chief of the military alliance.

Sulyok’s signature cleared the way for Sweden to become NATO’s 32nd member state in a period when Western leaders fear a broader war with Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Yet, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó made clear Hungary won’t agree with all NATO moves, including plans to make Dutch Prime Minister Rutte’s NATO’s next secretary general.

He referred to Rutte’s role in criticizing the Hungarian government’s perceived lack of democratic credentials.

Rutte supported the European Union’s decision to freeze billions of euros in European Union funding for Hungary due to the rule of law concerns.

“We certainly can’t support the election of a man to the position of NATO’s secretary general, who previously wanted to force Hungary on its knees,” Szijjártó said.

Critics view the rhetoric as part of nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s campaign ahead of the upcoming European Parliament elections, focusing on Hungary’s sovereignty.

Yet Western diplomats and analysts believe that Hungarian Orbán may still agree on Rutte’s candidacy under pressure from the United States, which is considering sanctions against Hungary over its rule of law situation.

Most NATO member states, including the United States, support Rutte, one of Europe’s longest-serving government leaders, as he has good ties with current U.S. President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald J. Trump.

With European NATO nations under U.S. pressure to spend more on defense, Rutte is also seen as crucial to keep the alliance united during warfare in the European continent.

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