NATO appoints Dutchman Mark Rutte as new secretary-general
NATO on Wednesday announced the appointment of outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as its new secretary general, at a critical time over the war in Ukraine and the possible return of Donald Trump to the US presidency.
Rutte, 57, will take office on 1 October, replacing Norway's Jens Stoltenberg, and will thus take the helm of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation at a particularly sensitive time.
"The North Atlantic Council has decided to appoint Prime Minister Mark Rutte as NATO's new Secretary General," the alliance announced after member states' ambassadors approved the appointment.
I warmly welcome #NATO Allies' choice of @MinPres Mark Rutte as my successor. Mark is a true transatlanticist, a strong leader and a consensus-builder. I wish him every success as we continue to strengthen NATO.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) June 26, 2024
I know I am leaving NATO in good hands.https://t.co/D0ass7fKiL
Almost immediately, Stoltenberg greeted Rutte's appointment with a congratulatory message on the X network. "He is a strong leader and consensus builder. I wish him every success. I know I leave NATO in good hands," he said.
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Rutte's leadership and experience "will be crucial for the Alliance during these difficult times". "I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the EU-NATO partnership," she added.
Rutte had from the start of his campaign won the support of key NATO members, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
Congratulations, dear Mark Rutte, on being elected as the new @NATO Secretary General.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 26, 2024
Your leadership and experience will be crucial for the Alliance during these challenging times.
I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the EU-NATO partnership.
The race swung in his favour last week after the only other candidate, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, dropped his aspirations and declared his support for Rutte.
In addition, the Dutch leader won the support of two countries openly hostile to his nomination, Hungary and Turkey.
The experienced Dutch leader, who headed his country's government for 14 years, is seen as a leader capable of managing the alliance in times of major challenges.
It is a tremendous honour to be appointed Secretary-General of NATO. The Alliance is and will remain the cornerstone of our collective security. Leading this organisation is a responsibility I do not take lightly. I’m grateful to all the Allies for placing their trust in me. I…
— Mark Rutte (@MinPres) June 26, 2024
While facing the spectre of a possible return of former US president Donald Trump to the White House after the November elections, Rutte will also have to deal with the threat of Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the eastern flank.
The Kremlin has said that Rutte's appointment will not change anything.
"This decision is unlikely to change anything in the general line of NATO", an alliance that is "hostile" to Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski praised Rutte instead, calling him a "strong and principled leader".
Congratulations to @MinPres Mark Rutte on the Allies’ decision to appoint him as the next Secretary General of NATO.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 26, 2024
When Mr. Rutte takes over this post from @JensStoltenberg in October, we anticipate that our joint work to ensure the protection of people and freedom throughout…
A strong ally of Ukraine
A staunch ally of Ukraine, Rutte has spearheaded an initiative to provide the country with F-16 fighter jets as a way of helping it fight the Russian invasion.
As NATO chief, he will play a key role in convincing alliance countries to continue to support Ukraine.
Ukrainian government chief of staff Andrii Yermak told the X network that Rutte's "leadership and dedication to democratic principles" are "crucial for our shared future".
Congratulations to Mark Rutte on being elected as the new Secretary General of @NATO. Your leadership and dedication to democratic principles are crucial for our shared future. Thank you for your unwavering support of Ukraine in these challenging times.
— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) June 26, 2024
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has reinvigorated a NATO that was struggling to find purpose after the end of the Cold War, and pushed European nations to increase their defence spending.
Rutte will now have to ensure that NATO is in a position to deal with the strategic threat that, according to the alliance, Russia will pose in the coming years.
His biggest challenge, however, could be keeping NATO together if Trump regains the US presidency.
In his tenure as head of the US government, Trump was a strong critic of NATO and even considered withdrawing the US from the transatlantic alliance.
In his re-election campaign, Trump came back and said he would encourage Russia to do "whatever it wants" with NATO countries that do not spend enough on defence.
Rutte will have to follow in the footsteps of Stoltenberg, the former Norwegian prime minister who led NATO through a critical decade for the alliance.
The unflappable and at times robotic Stoltenberg won widespread praise for maintaining unity and strengthening NATO during a tumultuous period.
Rutte will be the fourth Dutchman to serve as NATO Secretary General, following Dirk Tikker (1957-1963), Joseph Luns (1971-1984) and Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (2004-2009).
