NATO to formally appoint Rutte next boss Wednesday: diplomats
Mark Rutte, the outgoing Prime Minister of the Netherlands, is set to become the next Secretary General of NATO. His appointment was confirmed by ambassadors from all 32 member countries, with strong backing from the United States. Rutte will succeed Jens Stoltenberg on October 1, following almost 14 years in Dutch leadership.
- Europe
- AFP
- Published Date: 07:33 | 25 June 2024
- Modified Date: 07:33 | 25 June 2024
NATO will officially name outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the alliance's next head on Wednesday, after ambassadors from all 32 member countries greenlit his appointment, diplomats said Tuesday.
Diplomats from several NATO states said Rutte, who was strongly backed by leading power the United States, will take over from current secretary general Jens Stoltenberg when his term ends on October 1.
Rutte, 57, last week sealed the race to lead the Western military alliance after lone challenger Romanian President Klaus Iohannis dropped out.
The seasoned Dutch leader, who is set to leave office in the Netherlands soon after almost 14 years in charge, will take the reins at a pivotal time.
The next NATO chief will have to grapple with the ongoing fallout from Russia's war on Ukraine and the potential return to the US presidency of Donald Trump after elections in November.