In a significant boost for his campaign, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has secured a powerful endorsement from one of Europe's most influential leaders for the top job at NATO.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen publicly expressed her strong support for Mr. Rutte's candidacy to succeed the current Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg. This high-profile backing is seen as a critical move to consolidate European unity behind the Dutch leader's bid.
The endorsement came during a press conference in Luxembourg, where von der Leyen praised Rutte as a "very strong" candidate, highlighting his extensive experience, deep understanding of European defence issues, and his personable, communicative nature as ideal qualities for leading the military alliance.
This development significantly strengthens Mr. Rutte's position as the frontrunner for the role. However, his path to securing the position is not yet guaranteed. The appointment of a NATO chief requires the unanimous consent of all 32 alliance members.
The most significant hurdle remains convincing key sceptics, most notably the United States, Turkey, and Hungary. While US President Joe Biden has reportedly indicated support, formal approval from Washington and other capitals is still pending.
The decision on who will take over from Mr Stoltenberg, whose tenure has been extended multiple times since 2014 due to Russia's war in Ukraine, is expected to be a central topic at the upcoming NATO summit in Washington this July.
