Mark Rutte
Will he be the new NATO Secretary General?
Mark Rutte is currently being considered as the new NATO Secretary General
© Robin Utrecht/ / Picture Alliance
After a decade, Jens Stoltenberg is quitting his job at NATO in October. A successor must now be found as quickly as possible. Three major NATO members have already named their favorites.
Who will be the next Secretary General of NATO? Jens Stoltenberg’s successor is to be elected in Washington in July. The Norwegian wants to give up the position after ten years. Several states are now in favor of a Dutchman as the new Secretary General: Mark Rutte, the current Prime Minister of his country.
His supporters also include the big NATO member states – including Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). “The Chancellor supports the nomination of Mark Rutte as the new Secretary General of NATO,” government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit told the Reuters news agency on Thursday. “With his immense experience, his extensive security policy expertise and his strong diplomatic skills, Mark Rutte is an outstanding candidate for the post of NATO Secretary General.”
London and Washington for Mark Rutte as NATO Secretary General
Rutte is also wanted in London. Britain “strongly” supports Rutte as Stoltenberg’s successor, a government spokesman told reporters on Thursday. Rutte enjoys a high reputation throughout the military alliance, has experience in the field of defense and security and will ensure “that the alliance remains strong and ready for defense and deterrence.”
The NATO heavyweight USA is apparently also behind Rutte. US President Joe Biden strongly supports Rutte’s candidacy, a US representative said on Thursday at the request of the German Press Agency. Rutte has “a deep understanding of the importance of the alliance.” He is also a natural leader, a good communicator, and his leadership would benefit the alliance at this critical time. The “Politico” portal had previously reported on Biden’s support for Rutte.
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Stoltenberg quits after ten years
Diplomatic circles said that Rutte is also France’s favorite for the post of new Secretary General. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins are considered other candidates.
Stoltenberg’s successor is expected to be announced before the alliance’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington in July. The incumbent NATO chief will leave office on October 1st after a total of ten years. He was appointed to this position in 2014 and actually wanted to quit a long time ago, but the Western military alliance extended the Norwegian’s term of office several times – among other things because of the war in Ukraine.
Last year, Rutte initially ruled himself out as a possible successor to Stoltenberg. However, in October he told Dutch media that leading the military alliance was a “very interesting” task that he would be open to if it presented itself.
“Teflon Mark” with diplomatic skills
The 57-year-old Rutte is currently the Dutch head of government until a new government is formed following the election victory of right-wing populist Geert Wilders in November.
If Rutte actually succeeds Stoltenberg, he would be the fourth Dutchman to hold this office. Stoltenberg himself told the AFP news agency last year that Rutte was “a capable politician with a lot of experience as head of government.” “But it’s not up to me to decide who will be my successor,” he emphasized.
To be appointed NATO secretary general, Rutte needs the approval of all 31 members of the alliance.
Rutte has been at the head of the Dutch government since October 2010. He is the country’s longest-serving head of government. Initially, Rutte made a name for himself primarily in domestic politics. However, he increasingly gained an international reputation as a skilled diplomat, which earned him the nickname “Teflon Mark”.
The current Prime Minister maintains excellent relations with Great Britain and the USA. He was considered one of the EU leaders who got along best with then US President Donald Trump. At the Munich Security Conference last week, Rutte called on Europeans to stop “complaining and crying about Trump.” Rather, Europe must spend more on defense and finally ramp up ammunition production, regardless of who wins the US elections in November.
The Dutchman has been one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s harshest critics for years. The low point in relations was the shooting down of the MH17 passenger plane that had taken off from Amsterdam over eastern Ukraine in 2014. 298 people were killed, 196 of whom were Dutch. Rutte is currently considered one of Ukraine’s biggest supporters. He leads a coalition that wants to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. The Netherlands is preparing to deliver the first 18 machines.