Hungary intends to back Rutte for the position of NATO's new leader.
The Military Alliance NATO is in search of a new leader as Secretary General Stoltenberg's term is nearing its end. The Dutch politician Mark Rutte is one of the top contenders for the position. Hungary's Prime Minister Orban has recently hopped aboard the Rutte bandwagon, providing his backing in exchange for Rutte's promise to uphold an agreement Orban and Stoltenberg had previously made.
According to this agreement, Hungarian soldiers will not take part in NATO activities in Ukraine, and Hungary won't provide financial support for such engagements. Since Rutte would carry out this agreement as the new NATO CEO, Hungary is ready to endorse Rutte's bid for the top job in the alliance, Orban announced.
Previously, Slovakia had expressed its support for Rutte. "Slovakia can envision Mark Rutte taking on the role of NATO chief following a discussion with Rutte and consultations with the Slovak government," stated President Peter Pellegrini. However, Romania's official support is still pending, as President Klaus Iohannis had declared his intention to run for the position back in March.
Consensus of all members is crucial
Stoltenberg has extended his term multiple times, but in October, he plans to step down after a decade at the helm of NATO. The NATO Secretary General is chosen through a consensus process and requires support from all 32 members. So far, several countries have expressed their support for Rutte, the departing Dutch Prime Minister.
Initially, resistance came from Hungary. Insiders suggest that Orban didn't renew his call for an apology from Rutte for his less-than-favorable opinions regarding Hungary, which Orban described as "problematic." One of Hungary's conditions for confirming Rutte as Stoltenberg's successor was this apology. However, the other condition - the guarantee that Hungary would neither provide funds for Ukraine nor send troops there - Stoltenberg addressed in the last week.
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- Despite initial resistance from Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has now agreed to support Mark Rutte's bid for the position of NATO's new leader, following a promise by Rutte to uphold an agreement Orban and former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had made regarding Hungarian troops and financial support for NATO activities in Ukraine.
- Hungary's decision to back Rutte could be crucial in securing his position as the new NATO CEO, as the consensus of all 32 members is required for the appointment, with several countries, including Slovakia, already expressing their support for Rutte.
- The agreement between Orban and Stoltenberg, which will be upheld if Rutte becomes the new NATO Secretary General, states that Hungarian soldiers will not take part in NATO activities in Ukraine and Hungary will not provide financial support for such engagements.
