Commentary
On March 27, Hungary’s parliament overwhelmingly approved Finland’s application to join NATO. Finland and Sweden, both Cold War neutrals, applied to join NATO in May 2022.
NATO has 30 members and requires unanimity to admit a new member. Hungary made 29 for Finland. The alliance awaits Turkey’s decision.
On March 17, after opposing Finnish and Swedish NATO membership, Turkey’s thin-skinned and deliberately contrary President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey’s parliament had “decided to initiate the ratification of Finland’s accession process to NATO…” A week later the parliament’s foreign affairs committee endorsed Finland. Final approval is expected before Turkey’s national elections on May 14….