Next secretary-general of NATO is Mark Rutte, the outgoing prime minister of the Netherlands.
NATO named Mark Rutte as its next secretary-general on Wednesday, placing the outgoing Dutch prime minister in command of the world’s largest security organization at a critical time for European security as a conflict rages in Ukraine.
NATO ambassadors confirmed Rutte’s appointment during a meeting at the organization’s headquarters in Brussels. US President Joe Biden and his counterparts will formally welcome him to their table during a conference in Washington on July 9-11.
On October 1, the outgoing Dutch prime will succeed Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg as secretary general. Stoltenberg ruled for more than a decade. His tenure was regularly extended, partly to provide continuity when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
“I warmly welcome NATO allies’ choice of Mark Rutte as my successor,” Stoltenberg stated.
“Mark is a genuine transatlanticist, a capable leader, and a consensus builder. I wish him every success as we continue to build NATO to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. “I know I’m leaving NATO in good hands,” he said.
Secretaries general preside over meetings and typically lead sensitive negotiations among member nations to ensure that the organization, which relies on consensus, runs smoothly. The NATO leader also ensures that decisions are implemented and advocates on behalf of all members.
Several barriers remained in Rutte’s way of securing the position, despite having the support of the White House and most other major member countries, including Germany. He became the single contender when Romanian President Klaus Iohannis withdrew last week.
Hungary withdrew its concerns earlier this month when Rutte promised that Budapest would not be compelled to send people or give funding for a new assistance package for Ukraine. NATO’s unanimous decision-making allows any member to veto projects and operations.
