defensive alliance
NATO boss Stoltenberg is not seeking an extension of the contract
Jens Stoltenberg is the second longest serving NATO Secretary General. photo
© Jacquelyn Martin/AP/dpa
Jens Stoltenberg has been Secretary General of NATO since 2014. Recently there was speculation that the alliance states could extend his expiring contract again because of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg intends to give up his post as planned in the fall of this year. “He has no intention of seeking a further extension of his mandate,” said his spokeswoman Oana Lungescu when asked by the German Press Agency. Stoltenberg’s mandate has already been extended three times and he has been in office for almost nine years.
Recently, there has been repeated speculation that the 63-year-old’s term of office could be extended again against the background of the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine – at least until the anniversary summit planned in Washington in 2024 to mark the 75th anniversary of the alliance. At the same time, diplomats had pointed out that another extension could give the impression that NATO could not agree on anyone new.
Stoltenberg’s term of office was last extended by another year to September 30, 2023, in March, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Actually, the former Norwegian head of government had already wanted to stop last year and go back to his homeland. There he had wanted to become head of the central bank.
Stoltenberg is considered a skillful mediator
Stoltenberg has gained recognition above all as a skilled mediator between the sometimes very different interests of the now 30 NATO countries. He is particularly credited with moderating the dispute over defense spending by the European allies, which escalated during the tenure of US President Donald Trump. Trump even threatened at times that the United States would leave the alliance. Most recently, Stoltenberg coordinated the alliance’s response to the Russian war against Ukraine and campaigned for extensive arms deliveries to the attacked country.
At more than eight years, Stoltenberg is already the second longest-serving Secretary General in the history of the alliance. The Dutchman Joseph Luns has been the Alliance’s highest international official for the longest time. He served from 1971 to 1984.
Who could become the next NATO Secretary General was open until the end. In alliance circles, for example, former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis were mentioned as possible candidates.
In principle, however, it is usually the case that the people initially named do not become it in the end. A decision by the 30 alliance states should be made at the latest in July at the NATO summit in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius. It must be unanimous. Before the decision is made, there are usually confidential talks between individual heads of state and government and top diplomats.