Members of the NATO alliance have elected Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the next Secretary General of the Alliance, Reuters reported.
Rute’s appointment became a formality after his only rival for the post, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, announced last week that he was withdrawing from the candidacy after failing to gain support.
Rute has been chosen to succeed Jens Stoltenberg at a time when the war in Ukraine is ongoing and there is uncertainty about the US’s attitude towards the transatlantic alliance in the future.
Stoltenberg praised Rute as a “true transatlanticist, strong leader and consensus builder”.
He wrote in a post on “X” that the Alliance was, remained and will be the cornerstone of collective security, and that he does not take lightly the responsibility of leading the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
“I am grateful to all the Allies for having confidence in me. I look forward to taking office with great energy in October, as the successor of Jens Stoltenberg, who has provided the Alliance with exceptional leadership over the last 10 years and whom I have always appreciated,” said Rute.
Rute was elected as the new Secretary General of the Alliance by the decision of the members of this military alliance, after the only rival for the post, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, withdrew from the race.
The outgoing Secretary General of the Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, welcomed the election of Rute and pointed out that he “leaves NATO in good hands”.
He wished Rute success as the strengthening of the Alliance continues.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, congratulated the Dutch Prime Minister and pointed out that she was looking forward to their joint work.
