The US and Great Britain have backed Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s candidacy for NATO Secretary General, making his appointment increasingly realistic.
US President Joe Biden is backing Rutte to be the next head of NATO, an unnamed US official told Reuters.
“President Biden strongly supports the candidacy of Prime Minister Rutte for the next Secretary General of NATO”, the US source said.
Britain backs outgoing Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte’s bid to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as next NATO secretary-generalthe British Foreign Office said earlier today, as quoted by Reuters.
Rutte declared last year his interest in leading the military alliance. He was seen as the favorite to take over after Stoltenberg stepped down in October this year after a decade as head of the military alliance.
Britain’s Foreign Office said Rutte was a highly respected figure in NATO with great defense and security capabilities and someone who would ensure the alliance remained strong and ready to defend itself.
The Netherlands’ longest-serving prime minister unexpectedly announced his retirement from politics in July, but said he would remain in office while talks are held to form a government after parliamentary elections, which were held on November 22.
Jens Stoltenberg’s term was extended last July for a fourth time as the alliance decided to keep the experienced leader in charge rather than try to agree a successor as Russia’s war against Ukraine rages on the NATO border.
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