BRUSSELS: “NATO Allies Appoint Netherlands’ Rutte as Next Secretary-General”, NATO allies on Wednesday (Jun 26) selected Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the organisation’s next boss, as the war in Ukraine rages on its doorstep and uncertainty hangs over the United States’ future attitude to the transatlantic alliance.
Rutte’s appointment became a formality after his only rival for the post, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, announced last week that he had quit the race, having failed to gain traction.
“NATO Appoints Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as Next Secretary-General, Succeeding Jens Stoltenberg, Amid Ukraine Conflict and US Alliance Uncertainty”
“Mr Rutte will assume his functions as Secretary-General from Oct 1, 2024, when Mr Stoltenberg’s term expires after ten years at the helm of the Alliance,” it added.
After declaring his interest in the post last year, Rutte gained early support from key members of the alliance including the United States, Britain, France and Germany.
Others were more reticent, particularly Eastern European countries which argued the post should go to someone from their region for the first time.
But they ultimately rowed in behind Rutte, a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a staunch ally of Ukraine.
“Mark is a true transatlanticist, a strong leader, and a consensus-builder,” he said. “I know I am leaving NATO in good hands.”
NATO takes decisions by consensus so Rutte, who is bowing out of Dutch politics after nearly 14 years as prime minister, could only be confirmed once all 32 alliance members gave him their backing.
