Rutte even closer to top position at NATO, now that Turkey has also expressed its support for him

Almost nothing stands in the way of realizing Mark Rutte’s ambition to become Secretary General of NATO, now that Turkey has also expressed its support for him. The outgoing Prime Minister (VVD) traveled to Istanbul last Friday — at his own expense — for a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to sources within NATO, this has paid off, news agency ANP and NOS reported on Monday.

For his visit to Turkey, Rutte had support from 28 member states of the military alliance, which is currently led by Jens Stoltenberg from Norway. In the meantime, Rutte only needs to convince Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. Those three Eastern European countries would prefer to see Romanian President Klaus Johannis get the top job. Ultimately, all NATO members must agree to an appointment.

Hungary seems the most determined to thwart Rutte. In the past, Rutte has regularly spoken sternly to the Hungarian Prime Minister about the anti-rule of law grip he has on Hungary. It remains to be seen to what extent the Hungarian resistance will hold out. Johannis may withdraw his candidacy due to the lack of support for him. He still hoped for support from the Baltic states, but they also eventually joined the Rutte camp.

Turkey is of great importance to NATO. Not only its geographical location, between the Black and Mediterranean Seas, is of great strategic value; Turkey also has the most military personnel to offer to the alliance after the United States. Erdogan gratefully uses that position when his yes word is needed, for example when Finland and Sweden wanted to join NATO. This first required some commitments. It is unclear whether Rutte also had to do this.

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