President Biden throws support behind Dutch Prime Minister Rutte for NATO secretary general

President Joe Biden has publicly declared his support for Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to become the next NATO secretary general, a significant development that could potentially influence other NATO allies to endorse Rutte's nomination. Previously, there had been intense competition between Rutte and several other European leaders for the position.

Biden's endorsement, although not publicly declared by the President himself, is expected to carry substantial weight within the NATO community. It comes at a crucial time as two-thirds of NATO countries have already thrown their support behind Rutte's nomination to lead the military alliance later this year, according to a report by POLITICO.

Transition in NATO Leadership

The current NATO chief, Jens Stoltenberg, who has guided the political-military bloc through a tumultuous time in transatlantic politics since 2014, is set to conclude his term in October. With pressure mounting to finalize Rutte's leadership bid before the NATO summit in July, the alliance is on the brink of a significant transition at a time when it faces various geopolitical challenges.

European Candidates and Geopolitical Concerns

While Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas previously indicated interest in the NATO top job, NATO officials have stated that she is not actively pursuing the position as she has not officially declared her candidacy. Similarly, Latvia's Foreign Minister Krišjānis Kariņš undertook a media tour last year to test the waters but has not formally entered the race.

Rutte's emergence as a frontrunner for the secretary general role places him in a pivotal position to address critical challenges facing the alliance, particularly in relation to escalating tensions with Russia and the need to navigate potential changes in U.S. leadership and policy towards NATO.

Obstacles and Path Forward for Rutte

Rutte's candidacy is not without complexities, as he must garner the unanimous approval of all 31 NATO member nations. Turkey and Hungary have emerged as significant obstacles in this process, with both countries expressing reservations about endorsing Rutte. Turkey has reportedly sought reassurances before backing Rutte, while Hungary has had longstanding disagreements with the Dutch premier.

Despite these challenges, Dutch Chief of Defense Gen. Onno Eichelsheim expressed confidence in Rutte's prospects, stating that it was "very likely" that Rutte would secure the top job during an interview with Dutch television over the weekend.

Defense Spending and NATO's Agenda

Amidst the leadership transition, defense spending remains a pressing issue for the alliance, with many member countries struggling to meet the decade-old target of allocating 2 percent of GDP to defense expenditure. While 18 of the 31 NATO countries are poised to meet this benchmark this year, the Netherlands, under Rutte's leadership, is on track to achieve the 2 percent target, reflecting the country's commitment to NATO's defense priorities.

As the NATO summit approaches, the outcome of Rutte's bid for the secretary general role carries significant implications for the alliance's future trajectory and its ability to address evolving security challenges on a global scale.