THE HAGUE (AFP) – France Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced France’s support recently for his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte to lead NATO, which several members have endorsed but Hungary has challenged.
Rutte is the frontrunner to replace Jens Stoltenberg as NATO secretary general, even though a shock win for the far right in the recent Netherlands general election risks tarnishing his legacy.
“Of course we support Mark Rutte’s candidacy for NATO, given his experience, his ability to build a very broad coalition and his ability to act for our collective security,” Attal said at a press conference with Rutte during a visit to the Netherlands.
The move comes after the United States, Britain and Germany expressed support for Rutte to lead NATO, at a crucial time for the alliance in the conflict in Ukraine.
Rutte, 57, has announced his intention to leave the Dutch political scene but will remain in office until a new government is formed – the subject of negotiations since the November elections.
A successor for Stoltenberg – the former Norwegian prime minister who has overseen NATO for a decade – is expected to be announced before a July summit in Washington.
