Romanian President Iohannis has announced his candidacy for the position of NATO Secretary General. The 64-year-old said his country could take on greater responsibility. However, the Dutchman Rutte is considered the favorite for the position.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis wants to run for NATO Secretary General. The 64-year-old said he believes that Eastern Europe makes a valuable contribution to the discussions and decisions in NATO.
For Romania, which has been a NATO member since 2004, it is time “to take on even greater responsibility given the current security situation,” said Iohannis. In view of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the country in its immediate vicinity has invested massively in its defense.
Iohannis would be the first Eastern European to head the transatlantic alliance. With his candidacy, he confirmed long-standing speculation about his career intentions after his mandate as Romania’s head of state expires this fall. After two terms in office, he is not allowed to run again for the post in his country.
Dutchman Rutte is the current favorite
So far, the incumbent Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is considered the favorite to succeed the Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg, who is leaving the office of NATO Secretary General in the fall. Rutte’s candidacy is openly supported by Germany, the USA, Great Britain and France.
The decision must be unanimously supported by all members of the military alliance, including recent additions Finland and Sweden. However, Hungary had announced that it would not support Rutte’s candidacy.
Stoltenberg is leaving his post on October 1 after a total of ten years, after his term of office was extended twice in view of the war in Ukraine.