Support is consolidating around outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the next NATO Secretary General, with his backers actively pushing for his leadership. NATO members are reportedly working behind the scenes to secure full support for Rutte by the summer. Rutte, who has acknowledged the need for European allies to increase defense spending, aligns with concerns previously raised by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Rutte is also seen as a candidate who can 'manage Trump' should he win another presidential term. Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs also emphasized Europe's need for self-reliance in defense, echoing Rutte's sentiment.
Mark Rutte the favorite for the next NATO secretary ▪️Member countries that want to see outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the next NATO Secretary General are "working behind the scenes" to ensure full support for him by the summer, sources told Bloomberg. https://t.co/T5Vw7WDcL9
Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is the current frontrunner to be the next NATO secretary general, NATO insiders confirm to us That and more on US actions against the Houthis in Yemen in the latest #SitRep from @JackDetsch and me: https://t.co/HaPXEEvg7p
Donald Trump was right to complain about the shortfall in defense spending from his European allies, says Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the front runner to take over as head of NATO https://t.co/1lSf84Dibo via @lisaabramowicz1 @annmarie @FerroTV @DBaazil @aprilroach28 https://t.co/a503SQZzTt
Bloomberg named a candidate for the post of NATO Secretary General who can “manage Trump” The agency notes that many NATO members support the candidacy of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. He is considered the one who will be able to “manage” Trump if he becomes president of the… https://t.co/tRhNPS0dKN
Correct! "Latvian President EDGARS RINKĒVIČS agreed that Europe needs to be self-reliant. “Regardless of who is going to win the next U.S. elections, there is one lesson for European allies: Increase defense spending,” Rinkēvičs said." https://t.co/wGC6IXxUhH
Rutte’s backers are pushing to lock him in as NATO’s next leader https://t.co/n3J67RKDT4 via @cagankoc @annmarie @v_dendrinou https://t.co/1tta9VsR4H