NATO has chosen the still Prime Minister of the Netherlands, the liberal Mark Rutte, as its next secretary general. The Atlantic Council, the body that brings together the 32 ambassadors of the coalition countries, has appointed the Dutchman as its highest civilian position as of October 1, when the mandate of the current secretary general, the Norwegian Jens Stoltenbeg, ends. He has held the position for the past 10 years, the longest tenure in the history of the transatlantic military organization.
The race for Stoltenberg’s succession has been long and has been marked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. His succession should have been discussed two years ago, but the members of the Atlantic Alliance agreed to postpone it due to the challenge posed by the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Finally, the process was launched months ago and was not definitively clarified until a week ago, when the president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, who was also running for office, withdrew his candidacy. The election of the general secretary must be made unanimously.
Rutte, who has presided over the Dutch Government for 14 consecutive years, had to overcome resistance from Turkey and, above all, Hungary. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán threatened to make him pay dearly for the Dutchman’s critical statements against Hungarian regulations on homosexuality. Finally, this clash was resolved with Rutte’s admission that his words from three years ago “had caused discontent in Hungary.” Orbán, the EU leader closest to Vladimir Putin, has obtained a commitment from Stoltenberg and Rutte that his country will not participate in any activities that NATO may deploy in Ukraine.
I warmly welcome #BORN Allies’ choice of @MinPres Mark Rutte as my successor. Mark is a true transatlanticist, a strong leader and a consensus-builder. I wish him every success as we continue to strengthen NATO.
I know I am leaving NATO in good hands.https://t.co/D0ass7fKiL
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) June 26, 2024
“I warmly welcome the selection of Mark Rutte as my successor by NATO allies. Mark is a true all-rounder, a strong leader and a consensus builder. I wish you every success as we continue to strengthen NATO. I know that I leave NATO in good hands,” Stoltenberg declared through a message on the X social network.
The appointment of Rutte, who has always maintained good relations with the United States – the largest country and the true decision-making center of the Atlantic Alliance – has satisfied many allies. Many partner countries consider Rutte a very good option to continue guaranteeing support for Ukraine and avoid an escalation of war with the Kremlin. They also believe that the Dutchman could face a hypothetical return to the White House of the Republican Donald Trump, whose priority is for allies to increase their defense spending and disgrace those who do not manage to dedicate the 2% of GDP agreed upon in that chapter to that chapter. 2014.
Join Morning Express to follow all the news and read without limits.
Subscribe
Rutte has increased defense spending in his country, which has gone from 1.44% in 2022 to 2.05%, especially as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Spain, for its part, this year has fallen to the last position of the NATO countries, with spending of 1.28% of GDP.
Follow all the international information onFacebook andxor inour weekly newsletter.
.
.
_