Nato appoints Dutchman Rutte as Secretary General
Seldom was our alliance so important as today," Scholz stated in the online service X further. Rutte's experience, his security political expertise, and his diplomatic skill are pioneering.
Stoltenberg called Rutte a "true Transatlanticist, strong leader, and consensus mediator." He is handing over the NATO in good hands. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced close cooperation with the Dutchman, "to further strengthen the EU-NATO partnership."
The Ukraine also welcomed Rutte. "I know Mark Rutte as a principled and strong leadership personality who has shown his determination and foresight on many occasions in the past years," wrote Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the online service X.
Rutte himself called his appointment a "great honor." "The Alliance is and remains the foundation of our collective security," he emphasized on X.
Russia, however, expects no changes in its relationship to NATO. It is unlikely that Rutte's appointment "can change anything about the general line of NATO," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Currently, the western military alliance is "hostile-minded" towards Russia.
Just last week, Romania's President Klaus Iohannis withdrew his counter-candidacy, paving the way for Rutte. Previously, Hungary and Slovakia had given up their resistance and justified it with concessions.
The time for a decision is pressing: NATO wants to present Rutte as the new Secretary General at its anniversary summit in Washington in early July. He will be the fourth Dutchman in this position since the founding of the transatlantic alliance over 75 years ago.
The USA, Germany, Great Britain, and France had already expressed their support for Rutte in February. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) stated, the Dutchman is an "outstanding candidate" with his "immense experience, great security political expertise, and his pronounced diplomatic skill."
Rutte takes over the position of Secretary General in a challenging phase of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. In addition, NATO is preparing for a possible re-election of the former US President Donald Trump and a weaker role of the USA.
The internationally experienced Rutte is hoped for by NATO countries to keep the alliance together diplomatically and to organize further help for Ukraine. Rutte can look back on nearly 14 years as Prime Minister of the Netherlands. He knows Trump still from his first term, when the Republican declared NATO "obsolete" and demanded higher defense spending from Europeans.
Meanwhile, 23 of the 32 member states meet the requirement of contributing at least 2% of their Gross National Product (GNP) to defense. Rutte, like Stoltenberg, had to put pressure on Italy and other countries to comply. The Netherlands just meet the quota this year.
Rutte had to continue Stoltenberg's unyielding stance towards Russia. Recently, the Dutchman said, "Ukraine must win this fight - for its security and ours."
Stoltenberg relinquishes office after ten years as NATO Secretary-General. The alliance struggled to find a successor or successor for the Norwegian and had to extend his tenure twice as a result.
Rutte sought a new position since his liberal-conservative People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) lost the Parliamentary elections in November against the right-wing populist Geert Wilders in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, Rutte is known as a "Teflon" man, as he weathered numerous crises and scandals.
- Olaf Scholz expressed his belief that the alliance's importance is significant today, highlighting Rutte's experience and diplomatic skills.
- Stoltenberg praised Rutte as a Transatlanticist, strong leader, and consensus mediator, stating he is handing over NATO to a capable hand.
- Ursula von der Leyen announced close cooperation with Rutte, aiming to strengthen the EU-NATO partnership.
- Volodymyr Selenskyy welcomed Rutte, citing his principled leadership and determinations.
- Rutte indicated his appointment as Secretary General to be a great honor, emphasizing NATO's role in collective security.
- Russia expects no changes in its relationship with NATO, as Peskov stated Rutte's appointment won't alter the alliance's general line towards Russia.
- Klaus Iohannis' withdrawal paved the way for Rutte, who is set to become the new Secretary General at the NATO anniversary summit in early July.
- The USA, Germany, Great Britain, and France had voiced their support for Rutte due to his immense experience, great security political expertise, and pronounced diplomatic skill.
- Rutte faces a challenging phase as Secretary General, dealing with Russia's aggression against Ukraine and potential re-election of Trump.
- Rutte needs to maintain unity within NATO diplomatically and provide further assistance to Ukraine during his tenure, considering his extensive political career and prior experiences with Trump.
