Biden throws weight behind Dutch premier Rutte to lead NATO – Politico
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U.S. President Joe Biden is backing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to become the next NATO secretary general, Politico reported on Feb. 21, citing an unnamed American official.
Biden's support is likely to force more allies to back Rutte's candidacy after months of struggle for the post between him and several other European leaders.
Politico noted earlier that two-thirds of NATO countries support Rutte's candidacy for the post of NATO chief.
The term of office of the current NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who has been leading the military-political bloc since 2014, expires in October 2024.
The pressure to confirm Rutte's candidacy is growing ahead of the July NATO summit in Washington, D.C., to mark the Alliance's 75th anniversary.
"Rutte’s path to the Secretary General role puts him on a collision course with Russia, as the alliance steels itself against Vladimir Putin’s aggression two years since the full-scale Ukraine invasion," the article reads.
The Telegraph reported in July 2023 that Biden insisted that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen should become the next NATO secretary general.
On July 4, Jens Stoltenberg had his term as NATO secretary general extended for another year, to Oct. 1, 2024.
Politico reported in early November that Rutte was the favorite for the post of NATO chief. He himself declared his interest in the post in late October.
Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karinš announced his readiness to run for the post on Nov. 19. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas made a similar statement on Nov. 15.
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