Mark Rutte appointed next NATO Secretary General

Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has been formally selected as the next Secretary General of NATO, the military alliance announced on Wednesday, June 26. Rutte’s appointment follows the withdrawal of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, his only rival for the position, who announced his exit from the race last week.

Rutte is slated to assume his new role on October 1, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg, who has served as NATO’s chief for a decade.

“It is a tremendous honour to be appointed Secretary-General of NATO. The Alliance is and will remain the cornerstone of our collective security,” Rutte expressed in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The 57-year-old Dutch leader conveyed his gratitude to NATO allies for their trust in him, emphasizing the weight of the responsibility he is set to undertake.

Stoltenberg welcomed Rutte’s appointment, lauding him as a “true transatlanticist, a strong leader, and a consensus-builder.” He extended his best wishes to Rutte, highlighting the importance of continuing to strengthen NATO.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also congratulated Rutte on X, praising him as a “principled and strong leader” known for his decisiveness and vision. Zelensky expressed confidence in Rutte’s ability to maintain the momentum in their collective efforts to ensure the protection of people and freedom across the Euro-Atlantic region.

Rutte will take the helm of NATO during a critical period as the alliance supports Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. His leadership will be pivotal in navigating the complexities of the deadliest conflict on European soil since World War II.

As Rutte prepares to lead the 31-member military alliance, the international community will closely watch how his experience and leadership shape NATO’s future strategies and responses to global security challenges.