Mark Rutte Becomes NATO Secretary General After Romania Withdrawal Bid

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

BUCHAREST/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has withdrawn his bid for NATO’s leadership, clearing the way for Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to become the military alliance’s secretary-general.

Worthy News reported earlier that Romania’s decision was imminent after Hungary agreed on Rutte’s candidacy.

“The President of Romania informed… NATO allies that he withdrew his candidacy for the post of secretary-general of the organization,” the NATO council announced in a statement.

Council members had “declared themselves in favor of Romania’s support for the Dutch prime minister’s candidacy,” it added.

Bordering Ukraine and the Black Sea, Romania has risen in profile in terms of strategic importance since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, analysts say.

It hosts over 5,000 foreign troops, the biggest contingent in the alliance’s southeastern region.

The nomination of a new NATO head requires consensus from all 32 alliance members

HUNGARY AGREES

Hungary, however, had remained opposed until this week, and Slovakia had not given its approval. Yet, in a significant turnaround, both endorsed the outgoing premier at a European Union leaders’ summit earlier this week.

Hungary dropped its resistance on June 18 when Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Rutte had agreed to honor an agreement with outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that no Hungarians would participate in NATO activities in wartorn Ukraine. In addition, there are no Hungarian funds for military assistance to Kyiv.

“In light of his pledge, Hungary is ready to support Prime Minister Rutte’s bid for NATO Secretary-General,” Orbán said in a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Stoltenberg told reporters in Washington that Orb ar Orbán’s announcement made it “obvious that we are very close to a conclusion in the alliance. I think that’s good news. I think that Mark Rutte is a very strong candidate.”

Also, on June 18, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini said his country was prepared to support Rutte for the NATO top job.

“After a final discussion with Mark Rutte and consultation with the Slovak government, Slovakia can imagine Mark Rutte as the NATO chief,” Pellegrini said.

A staunch backer of Ukraine, the 57-year-old Rutte, who is single with no children, staked his claim for the job last year after the collapse of his coalition. He quickly gained the support of NATO heavyweights the United States, Britain, France, and Germany.

Sometimes described as “Teflon Mark,” one of Europe’s longest-serving government leaders, Rutte is seen by friends and foes as a professional politician who can lead the alliance through turbulent times.

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