Turkish parliament ratifies Sweden's NATO membership - UPDATED

After several hours of debate, Turkey's parliament ratifies Sweden's application for NATO membership.
Lawmakers voted 287-55 in favour of the Scandinavian country's bid to become the 32nd member of the US-led alliance, leaving NATO member Hungary as the final hurdle in Stockholm's accession process.
The approval of the Protocol on Sweden's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was discussed at the Turkish Parliament's General Assembly meeting scheduled for today. The debate began at 15:00 Turkish time (14:00 Bulgarian time).
The decision was supported by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the Nationalist Action Party (NAP) and the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). Nationalist and leftist parties in opposition voted against. Head of State Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due to formalise the bill in the coming days.
Earlier in October 2023, the Turkish president signed the protocol for Sweden to join NATO. /BGNES