A quote from EUobserver, 18 December 2007
 
Hungary on Monday (17 December) became the first of the 27 [EU] member states to ratify the bloc's new treaty, making the move just days after the document was formally signed off by EU leaders. A parliamentary vote saw 325 votes in favour, 5 votes against and 14 abstentions for the new set of rules, according to Austrian news agency APA.
 
Reacting to the vote, Hungary's prime minister praised the "historic achievement" of his country. In taking the ratification step so quickly, Budapest has stolen the crown from Poland and France, both of whom had indicated they were aiming to be the first.