The 57-year-old becomes leadership of the largest military alliance in the world at a pivotal juncture, with the war in Ukraine, growing international unrest, and ambiguity surrounding the US’s long-term intentions for the transatlantic organization.
After serving as leader of the Netherlands for almost 14 years, Mr. Rutte is stepping down.
On October 1st, he will succeed Jens Stoltenberg of Norway, who is retiring from the position after ten years in office.
At a meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, ambassadors from the 32 member states of the alliance approved his nomination.
The longest-serving prime minister of the Netherlands, a devoted ally and harsh critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The alliance is and will continue to be the cornerstone of our collective security, he wrote on X. I take seriously the duty of leading our organization.
“I warmly welcome the selection of Mark Rutte as my successor by my NATO allies,” Mr. Stoltenberg stated.
Mark is an effective leader, a true transatlanticist, and a consensus builder. As we continue to fortify NATO in preparation for today’s and tomorrow’s challenges, I wish him every success. I am certain I am leaving NATO in capable hands.
