Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has been chosen as the new Secretary General of NATO after receiving the majority of member states’ support, including that of Hungary. This was made possible by the support of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who had previously supported Romanian President Klaus Iohannis for the position.
In a letter of support, Rutte acknowledged past statements that caused dissatisfaction in Hungary and promised to treat all allies with equal respect. This led to Orban offering his consent, which cleared the way for Rutte to replace Jens Stoltenberg when his mandate expires on October 1st.
Despite differences in opinion, Orban’s decision to support Rutte’s candidacy shows a willingness to work together within NATO. In the past, Orban has been vocal about his disapproval of certain EU values and suggested that Hungary should leave the European Union if those values do not align with its interests. However, this decision paves the way for a smooth transition in leadership at NATO and demonstrates a spirit of cooperation among member states.
