Romanian president withdraws NATO leadership bid and backs Mark Rutte

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte addresses the press at the end of the informal meeting of European leaders in Brussels on 17 June 2024 - PHOTO/Diego Ravier/Hans Lucas/Hans Lucas via AFP

AFP

20 de junio de 2024 (16:30 h.)

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Rutte is now the only candidate in the running

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced Thursday that he is withdrawing his candidacy to lead NATO, leaving outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte free to succeed current NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

The 65-year-old Romanian president finally decided to back Rutte, who is now the only candidate in the running.

"The Romanian president informed (...) NATO allies that he is withdrawing his candidacy for the post of NATO Secretary General," the Supreme National Defence Council said in a statement, adding that Bucharest now supports Rutte's candidacy.

Iohannis' withdrawal clears Rutte's nomination to succeed Norway's Jens Stoltenberg.

The appointment of a new NATO Secretary General requires the consensus of all 32 member states of the military alliance. The appointment of Rutte, 57, will be formalised between now and the alliance's July summit in Washington.

Rutte currently serves as interim prime minister of the Netherlands and will soon leave his post once a new coalition government is installed in his country.

Under Jens Stoltenberg, whose term of office ends on 1 October, NATO gained prominence in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, adding two new members in its wake, Sweden and Finland.