Former Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, has been confirmed as the next North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary-General following NATO ambassadors’ decision at the alliance’s Brussels headquarters on Wednesday.
His appointment was secured as Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis withdrew from the race last week, leaving Rutte uncontested.
Rutte’s selection comes amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and amid uncertainties about the United States’ future stance on the transatlantic alliance.
His formal introduction to global leaders will take place at the NATO summit in Washington from July 9-11, where U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders will officially welcome him.
Turkey, with NATO’s second-largest army, played a pivotal role in endorsing Rutte’s candidacy, emphasizing its diplomatic vision and careful scrutiny of all candidates.
Rutte’s term is set to commence formally during NATO’s 75th-anniversary summit in Washington, coinciding with his inauguration on October 1.
He will succeed Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg, who served for over a decade.
Formed in 1949, NATO was established by the United States, Canada, and several Western European nations to ensure collective security against the Soviet Union.
