The United States, Great Britain, Germany and France on Thursday backed outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to become NATO’s new secretary general.
The support makes Rutte the favorite to succeed Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg at the top of the alliance, Reuters reported.
“Rutte is well-respected in the alliance, has serious defense and security credentials and will ensure the alliance remains strong and ready to defend and deter,” said a British government official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
President Biden also wants Rutte to become the new head of NATO, the US official said.
Later on Thursday, French and German officials also confirmed to Reuters their governments’ support for the outgoing Dutch prime minister.
But Rutte is not the only candidate for the job.
In response to the news, Romania nominated its president, Klaus Iohanis, as the next secretary-general.
According to the Romanian president, Eastern European countries feel marginalized because none of the top jobs in the alliance go to nationals from their countries.
Some other NATO members say it’s time for a woman to lead the alliance.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who is currently wanted in Russia for “destroying and damaging monuments to Soviet soldiers”, is the most concrete candidate.
NATO has been led by Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg since 2014.
Originally due to retire last year, his mandate was extended for another year in October after NATO members failed to agree on a successor.
The consensus of all 31 member states is required for the election of a new Secretary General.
Their goal is to agree on the next secretary-general by early April, when NATO foreign ministers gather in Brussels for the Alliance’s 75th anniversary.
