Biden backs Dutch PM Rutte for next NATO chief

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Politico
22 Feb 2024 08:14

The backing from the US President is expected to garner greater support from allies for Rutte's nomination.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte speaks during a press conference at the Serbia Palace, in Belgrade, Serbia, on July 3.2023. (AP)

US President Joe Biden is reportedly endorsing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as the next NATO secretary-general, according to a US official cited by Politico on Wednesday. The backing from the US President is expected to garner greater support from allies for Rutte's nomination.

Earlier on Wednesday, Politico stated that approximately two-thirds of NATO nations are currently supporting the nomination of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to assume leadership of NATO this year. However, it is crucial to note that the decision necessitates unanimous agreement among all NATO member states. The report also mentioned that Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins are not considered potential candidates as they have not officially submitted their candidacies, according to NATO officials.

"After very intense rounds of discussions among the allies we are now at the point where over 20 NATO allies are prepared to support Prime Minister Rutte as the next secretary-general," said a NATO official, who was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive internal deliberations.

Rutte, backed by influential NATO members like the United States, Britain, France, and Germany, emerges as the leading candidate to assume the role of NATO's next chief. However, the potential impact of a surprising far-right victory in elections in his home country looms as a factor that could potentially affect his legacy.

Jens Stoltenberg's tenure as NATO Secretary-General, initially set to conclude in October 2022, was extended for an additional year until September 30, 2023, amid the Ukraine crisis. In July, the alliance further extended his term for another year, ensuring Stoltenberg's continued leadership until October 1, 2024. He holds the distinction of being the second-longest-serving NATO secretary-general, following former Dutch Foreign Minister Joseph Luns, who held the position from 1971 to 1984.

A staunch Ukraine supporter

Under Rutte, the long-serving Dutch prime minister and one of Europe’s longest-serving leaders, the Netherlands has already committed to send Ukraine 24 of its F-16 fighters — the most of any country — and is helping train Ukrainian pilots.

The Dutch military has also sent tanks, artillery systems, ammunition, and Patriot air defense systems to Kiev over the past two years, while the government pledged another $2.1 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine over the coming year.

Rutte said in Munich that the need for Europe to invest more in its own defense has more to do with Russia than it does with who sits in the White House.

“Let’s stop moaning and nagging and whining about Trump,” he said. “We need to invest in our defense expenditure. We need to massively ramp up arms production and then we need to massively do more in support to Ukraine.”