Mark Rutte becomes NATO’s new secretary-general

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has been appointed as the next secretary-general of NATO, according to an official statement from the alliance.

Rutte’s appointment, announced Wednesday, marks a significant transition in leadership, with the Dutch leader set to assume his new role on Oct. 1. He will succeed Jens Stoltenberg of Norway, who is stepping down after a decade in the post. 

Rutte resigned on July 7, 2023, upon the collapse of the coalition government in the Netherlands and announced that he would remain prime minister until the new government was formed and then leave active politics.

After it became clear that Stoltenberg’s term would not be extended for another term, Rutte announced his candidacy for NATO secretary-general.

Rutte, who gained the support of many countries including Türkiye in a short time, finally received the approval of Hungary on June 18.

On June 20, the other candidate, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, announced his withdrawal, leaving Rutte as the only candidate.