Dutch PM in strong position to lead NATO with major powers' backing

The United States, Britain, France and Germany on Thursday all backed outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as the head of NATO, putting him in a strong position to win the leadership of the transatlantic alliance.

Stoltenberg's successor when he steps down in October will take office at a time when Western aid to Ukraine slows amid Russian advances in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region.

"President (Joe) Biden strongly endorses PM Rutte's candidacy to be the next Secretary General of NATO," a U.S. official said.

"PM Rutte has a deep understanding of the importance of the alliance, is a natural leader and communicator, and his leadership would serve the Alliance well at this critical time."

Depending on the outcome of November's U.S. presidential election, the next NATO boss may have to deal with a second term for Donald Trump, who drew sharp criticism from Western officials earlier this month for calling into question his commitment to defending NATO allies if re-elected.

Founded in 1949 to counter the Soviet Union (USSR) during the Cold War, NATO is a political and military alliance of countries from North America and Europe. The alliance's eastward expansion after the USSR's dissolution has drawn fierce backlash from Moscow, which cited it as a key reason for launching a "special military operation" in Ukraine in February 2022.

NATO leaders are appointed by consensus, meaning all members must consent to a final decision. The alliance currently has 31 members, with Sweden poised to join soon.

Diplomats say Rutte is the only official candidate for the post in the behind-the-scenes contest, although some said the name of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis had also been floated in informal discussions recently.

But with the support of Washington - the alliance's predominant power - and the three big European nations and some 16 other NATO members, according to diplomats, Rutte is in a commanding position and any rival would face an uphill battle.

The Netherlands' longest-serving leader, 57-year-old Rutte has had good relationships with various British, European Union and U.S. leaders - including Trump - during his tenure.

At the weekend, Rutte urged European leaders to "stop moaning and whining and nagging" about Trump and focus instead on what they could do to bolster defense and help Ukraine.

Backing Rutte, the British Foreign Office said he was a well-respected figure across NATO with serious defense and security credentials, who would ensure it remained strong and prepared for any need to defend itself.

A senior French official said President Emmanuel Macron had been an early supporter of putting the Dutchman in the role, having sounded him out about the post last year.

A German government spokesperson said Rutte had Berlin's backing, praising him as "an outstanding candidate."

Still, one senior diplomat cautioned a deal had not yet been reached.

Poland - a growing military power in Europe - has no position yet, a foreign ministry spokesperson said. There was also no word from Hungary and Türkiye, which are regarded as potential holdouts against Rutte by some diplomats.

(With input from Reuters)

(Cover: Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte speaks at the Ministry of General Affairs in The Hague, after consultations with the National Security Council, on October 9, 2023. /CFP)