The appointment of Mark Rutte as the new secretary general of the military alliance is supported by the USA, Germany and the United Kingdom. The change of command marks the end of a decade of leadership by Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg. The Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte received this Thursday (February 22) the order to become the next Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), supported by the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany.
Mark Rutte is a familiar face in European politics after 13 years as Prime Minister of the Netherlands
Photo: DW / Deutsche Welle
“With his immense experience, his great knowledge of security policy and his strong diplomatic skills, he is an exceptional candidate,” said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit, adding that Rutte had the support of Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
US President Joe Biden also “strongly supports” the Dutch prime minister, according to a US official. “Prime Minister Rutte has a deep understanding of the importance of the alliance, is a natural leader and communicator, and his leadership would serve the alliance well at this critical time,” the official told reporters.
At the same time, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Rutte was well respected among NATO members and “has strong credentials in defense and security.”
Delicate position
The current Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, will end his term in October after holding the post for a decade.
His successor will have to try to balance NATO members' support for Ukraine while avoiding an escalation that could plunge the alliance into war with Russia.
Depending on the outcome of November's U.S. presidential election, the next NATO chief may still have to contend with a second term for Donald Trump, who was criticized by Western officials earlier this month for questioning U.S. commitment to defending countries presented. Members of the Alliance.
Founded in 1949 to counterbalance the strength of the Soviet Union during the Cold War, NATO is a political and military alliance of countries in North America and Europe.
Article 5 of the founding treaty enshrines the principle of collective defense the idea that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
The nomination requires the support of all 31 member countries
The nomination for the position of NATO Secretary General is carried out by consensus, which means that all members must agree on the final decision. However, the United States generally exerts more weight in selecting nominees. The alliance currently has 31 members it will soon be expanded with Sweden joining.
Rutte is a familiar face in European politics, having served as prime minister of the Netherlands for 13 years the longest term in the country's history.
He unexpectedly announced his departure from Dutch politics last year but will continue to lead the country on an interim basis until a new coalition government can be formed after the last election on November 22.
Last year, Rutte told Dutch media he was open to the idea of becoming NATO chief, which he described as “a very interesting job.”
In addition to Rutte, the list of confirmed candidates for the office also includes Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins. The name of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis was also mentioned recently in informal conversations.
Stoltenberg's successor is expected to be announced in Washington in July at the latest, coinciding with the meeting to mark the alliance's 75th anniversary.
jps (Portal, dpa, AFP)
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