Mark Rutte, the outgoing prime minister of the Netherlands, will become Nato’s next secretary general when Jens Stoltenberg steps down in the autumn. Rutte’s candidacy has been endorsed by all 32 member states, most recently by Hungary and Slovakia, which confirmed their backing on June 18. The Romanian president Klaus Iohannis – Rutte’s last rival for the post – withdrew his candidacy on June 20. Stoltenberg’s tenure is due to end on October 2.
Rutte is the longest-serving prime minister in the history of the Netherlands, having served in the role since 2010. He will take up his new post with Nato facing a range of challenges. The war in Ukraine and China’s increasing ambitions in international politics will be the two most immediate issues in his in-tray.
But he will also be aware of the need to address the rise of nationalist and populist movements in Nato member states that challenge his organisation’s internal unity. Another major challenge could well confront him just a month into his tenure, with the possible election of Donald Trump for a second term as US president.
