Rutte on his way to Istanbul to secure Turkish support for NATO leadership | Abroad

Turkey is among the four remaining NATO countries that have not yet expressed support for Rutte’s appointment as boss of the military alliance.

In The Hague it is expected that the Turks will ultimately agree to the appointment. Press agency Bloomberg reported on Thursday that Erdogan will most likely announce his support in the conversation with Rutte.

Rutte can already count on the support of 28 of NATO’s 32 member states. The most important support comes from Washington, because in practice the Americans have by far the most influence within NATO. Support from the United States usually proves decisive. But the appointment ultimately requires approval from all member states.

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Rutte’s only remaining competitor in the race for NATO leadership is Romanian President Klaus Iohannis. In addition to Turkey and Romania, Slovakia and Hungary also have to agree. The most resistance is expected from notorious obstructionist Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian president. That country is the only country that has publicly spoken out against Rutte’s candidacy.

Rutte traveled to Istanbul in a personal capacity. The relationship between the Netherlands and Turkey has not always been warm in recent years. 2017 was a low point, when the Netherlands refused to allow Turkish ministers to campaign here. It even led to a Turkish minister being deported from the country. Since then, ties have been strengthened again.

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