This article has been updated to reflect the recent appointment of Mark Rutte as NATO Secretary General, effective October 1. In a Politico event in November 2023, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas joked about the criteria for the next Secretary General, suggesting that she could fulfill all requirements. However, by March, Rutte had gained the support of the majority of NATO member states, with only Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania remaining to be convinced. After a meeting with Rutte, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced his support on June 18, and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini followed suit on the same day. Romanian President Klaus Iohnannis, the only other candidate, withdrew from the race on June 20. Rutte, known for his low-key persona and consensus-building skills, is the longest-serving prime minister in Dutch history and has experience working in complex coalitions. He also proved to be able to handle the White House’s unpredictable behavior during Donald Trump’s presidency, making him a popular candidate at the 2024 Munich Security Conference.
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