There has been an air of inevitability for some time now surrounding Rutte’s attempt to succeed Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg as NATO chief in September. The experienced Dutch Prime Minister has long been supported in this by four countries with a lot of weight within the alliance: the United States, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
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Arnout Brouwers prescribes de Volkskrant on security, diplomacy and foreign policy.
When recently, to the surprise of the largest allies, Romanian President Klaus Werner Iohannis formally raised his hand for the job, the four countries announced the same day that as far as they are concerned, Mark Rutte is the only suitable candidate for the position.
Nevertheless, predictions in Dutch and foreign media that Rutte would be appointed this week, 75 years after signing the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, have proven premature. This is not only due to Romania, which now has its own candidate, but according to the Financial Times also to three other countries: Turkey, Slovakia and Hungary, which have openly expressed objections.
Rutte’s NATO appointment is up for grabs
Since Biden gave the green light in February, it has already been certain that Rutte will become the next NATO boss. The American president informally has the most important voice in the nomination process.
But Rutte also has an opposing candidate: Klaus Johannis. The Romanian president believes that the eastern flank should be given more control.
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The US ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, said in a press conference this week that “the qualifications of both very impressive leaders” are still being discussed within the alliance – and that this will continue until there is consensus. She added that as far as the US is concerned, the issue must be sealed “at the latest” before the NATO summit in Washington begins. That’s in July. ‘I assume you are aware that we fully support Mark Rutte.’
Estonia and Lithuania
During a meeting in Lithuania of several EU leaders, including Rutte, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda also supported the Dutchman this week. According to him, Rutte recognized the Russian threat early on and ‘radically’ adjusted his position.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who has shown herself to be a leader in the attitude towards Russia and who at one point hoped to become the first female Secretary General and the first from an Eastern European country, has also thrown in the towel. On X she declared her support for Rutte with the words: ‘For a strong NATO we must be sharp about Russia, ed.) and increase defense spending, support Ukraine’s NATO membership and maintain geographic balance. I have discussed this in depth with Mark Rutte and he is committed to these priorities.’
Tags: Rutte NATO appointment obstacles left
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