Sunday, February 18, 2024

European Politics > Who will replace Stoltenberg at NATO, Ursula von der Leyen, Mark Rutte, or some dark horse?

 



Anneke de Laaf

Curious story in Welt am Sonntag about the position of Yankee spokesperson for NATO. Yes, Die Frau is almost physically Russophobic, but that is rather a requirement for the job - and Rutte will go with whatever narrative will bring him the greatest benefit. Happy to shake hands with Putin to cling a profitable oil or gas deal when this was still allowed (pre 2014) and equally happy to demonize him now that thát is required.

And at any rate, Herr Scholz doesn’t strike me as very influential. If the Yanks would prefer Von der Leyden, Joe would just insist. And Scholz would just have to lump it. Only one boss in NATO.

“The newspaper writes that at the end of 2023, Secretary of State Antony Blinken proposed the candidacy of Mrs. von der Leyen to US President Joe Biden. He turned to Mr. Scholz, but the chancellor “was categorically against” her nomination. According to the Chancellor, Ursula von der Leyen is too critical of the Russian Federation, and he fears that this will have negative consequences in the long term.

Welt am Sonntag clarifies that the favorite among the candidates for the post of NATO Secretary General has become... O. Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte. The publication claims its support is growing. The final decision is planned to be made before the European Parliament elections in June. Bloomberg reported that Turkey had put forward conditions for the approval of Mr. Rutte's candidacy.

Jens Stoltenberg has held the position of NATO Secretary General since October 2014. The Secretary General of the alliance is appointed through informal consultations between the member countries of the alliance, which nominate candidates for this post. The Secretary General is elected for four years, the term can be extended if necessary.”

As much respect as I have for Mark Rutte, which is none, it does appear he would be an improvement of von der Leyen. Or would he?

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