The Biden administration has expressed gratitude to Romania for its president’s decision to withdraw from the race to lead NATO. Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanked his Romanian counterpart Luminița-Teodora Odobescu for Romania’s critical role in ensuring the alliance stays properly focused. This move by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis cleared the way for outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to potentially become NATO’s next secretary-general.
The decision by Iohannis to withdraw from the race is seen as a positive sign that Romania takes its alliance responsibilities seriously. Romania, a NATO member since 2004, has been actively involved in the alliance, particularly in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Iohannis had announced his intention to run for NATO’s top job in March, but his withdrawal now paves the way for Rutte to take over the leadership role.
Rutte is now all but certain to replace Jens Stoltenberg at the helm of NATO when its leaders meet next month in Washington to mark the alliance’s 75th anniversary. This smooth transition in leadership removes any potential hurdles Rutte might have faced and allows NATO to demonstrate unity and solidarity with Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. U.S. President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders are expected to gather in Washington from July 9-11 for the summit.
The appointment of Rutte as NATO’s next secretary-general could be finalized by a meeting of NATO ambassadors in the coming days or by the leaders themselves when they convene in Washington. The role of the secretary-general involves chairing meetings and guiding discussions among the alliance’s 32 member countries to ensure decisions are made by consensus. Rutte has been the preferred candidate of the majority of NATO allies, including the United States and Germany, for several months.
NATO operates on the principle of consensus, giving each member country the power to veto decisions. This makes leadership roles crucial in ensuring that the alliance functions smoothly and effectively. With Rutte poised to take over as secretary-general, NATO is expected to continue its work in promoting security and cooperation among its member nations. The upcoming summit in Washington will provide an opportunity for leaders to reaffirm their commitment to the alliance and address ongoing global security challenges.
