Outgoing Dutch PM Mark Rutte wins race to head NATO: The Guardian

The outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has won the race to become the next head of NATO, Britain's The Guardian newspaper has reported.

Premier Holandii Mark Rutte w rozmowie z dziennikarzami w Brukseli

PAP/Radek Pietruszka

The Dutch politician is expected to be confirmed formally as NATO’s new secretary-general in the coming days, according to The Guardian.

Mark Rutte lined up to be Nato secretary general after Orbán deal https://t.co/mXxrUQ4M7f

— The Guardian (@guardian) June 19, 2024

The final hurdle to his appointment fell on Thursday when Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced he was withdrawing from the race, The Guardian reported.

Mark Rutte clears last hurdle for Nato top job https://t.co/qOeBoo0cCX

— Financial Times (@FT) June 20, 2024

Mark Rutte set to be Nato chief as rival drops out https://t.co/IONWal7vyG

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) June 20, 2024

Rutte will take over when the incumbent NATO chief, Jens Stoltenberg, steps down on October 1 after nearly a decade in charge, the British newspaper said.

Rutte, 57, is a strong supporter of Ukraine and takes the reins of the Western military alliance after nearly 14 years as Dutch prime minister and 18 as leader of his liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, The Guardian reported.

Mark Rutte, the longtime prime minister of the Netherlands, looks set to replace Jens Stoltenberg as NATO Secretary General, after the last remaining candidate withdrew from the race, paving the way for his selection by allies. https://t.co/2GyaRxpeEI

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 20, 2024

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Source: The Guardian