The post of NATO Secretary General has become a politically sensitive and very important position, which prompts the mention of high-level politicians as potential leaders of the alliance, writes Politico.
That Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, is mentioned as one of the possible successors of NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. These rumors currently swirling in the Brussels “bubble” have a rational basis. Leyen knows how to work with Washington. She has been the defense minister. As President of the European Commission, she has worked with the leaders of most NATO countries. In addition, if chosen for the post, Leyen would be the first woman to hold the position of Secretary-General of the alliance.
The talk has gained momentum in recent weeks, as Stoltenberg’s resignation is expected as early as September.
According to NATO and EC insiders, the rumors are only wishful thinking and not indications of the new NATO Secretary-General.
Similar whispers are heard in the direction of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. He is a seasoned leader who ticks all the boxes. Except that he himself insists – he does not want this job.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed the alliance. The work has become more important and politically sensitive than ever before. The allies are considering more carefully who the person who represents everyone on the podium might be. However, all talk of potential candidates right now
seems to be wishful thinking and tossing around ideas rather than a real discussion.
Officials have indicated that the next head of NATO should be a European who can work closely with Washington, regardless of who is in charge in the White House. And that’s not all. The candidate must support Ukraine, but his position must not be too hawkish. The Secretary-General must be a former head of state or government capable of garnering open support from all members of the alliance.
Of course, von der Leyen is one of the candidates, but there are some obstacles here. The first is definitely timing. If Stoltenberg leaves office at the scheduled time, then the successor must take his place one year before the end of the EC term of von der Leyen. Therefore, it is speculated that
Stoltenberg could stay in office longer to give time to a candidate like the EC president.
However, in a conversation with Politico, Stoltenberg says that he wants to return to Norway.
Another challenge for von der Leyen could be Germany’s history of failing to increase its defense budget, and her own responsibility for this during her time as Defense Minister.
The EC denies the possibility that von der Leyen could become the next head of NATO.
As with von der Leyen’s candidacy, the availability of other named persons is also unclear. Rutte has announced that he wants to leave politics altogether and focus on a completely different field. The Prime Minister’s representative confirmed this information again this week. However, persons close to him indicate that Rutte should not be completely excluded from the equation.
Other names being mentioned for the next NATO Secretary General are Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace, Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová.
Despite the rumors, officials believe that many of these names are not smart choices.
Kallas, for example, is considered too hawkish.
It is known when the decision should be made. At the NATO summit in Vilnius, which is expected in July, either the new Secretary-General will be announced, or the decision to extend Stoltenberg’s stay in office.
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