Official NATO or government press releases and news reports

Mark Rutte Set to Become NATO Secretary General After Securing Support from All 32 NATO Members on June 20

Jun 19, 2024, 09:03 PM

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is set to become the next Secretary General of NATO after securing the support of all 32 NATO members. This follows the withdrawal of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis from the race on June 20, who had been the last remaining candidate. Rutte's bid was notably backed by Hungary and Slovakia after he assured Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán that Hungary could opt out of NATO's Ukraine support measures. Rutte will succeed Jens Stoltenberg, who has served as NATO Secretary General since 2014. Stoltenberg endorsed Rutte, calling him a 'very strong candidate'. Rutte, a staunch ally of Ukraine and critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been a significant figure in European politics since 2010. Dutch news outlet NOS reported on June 18 that Rutte was the frontrunner for the position.