Hungary's parliament approves Sweden's bid to join NATO

A view of the Hungarian Parliament as representatives vote on the ratification of Sweden's NATO membership in the main hall of the parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, on February 26. Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images

Hungary's parliament on Monday approved Sweden's bid to join NATO, clearing the last hurdle for the country to become the 32nd member of the US-led military alliance.

The vote passed with 188 members of parliament in favor and six against. In total, 194 members voted. Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs said on Monday that he is sure Sweden will be "a strong and reliable ally" who will benefit the NATO alliance. 

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson celebrated the vote.

"Today is a historic day. The parliaments of all NATO member states have now voted in favour of Swedish accession to NATO. Sweden stands ready to shoulder its responsibility for Euro-Atlantic security," Kristersson said in a social media post.

Sweden applied to be a NATO member in May 2022 after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also welcomed the vote, and said, "Sweden’s membership will make us all stronger and safer."