Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, in many ways, is your average European globalist.
But it also marked a difference in his relationships with European nationalist voters and populist leaders like Donald Trump.
Now, Rutte is almost universally mentioned as the leading candidate to be the new Secretary General of NATO.
The military alliance is at a crucial juncture in its journey, and strong leadership is needed in the North Atlantic landscape.
The United States, Britain, France and Germany are all reportedly backing Rutte to succeed Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, leaving him in a strong position to get the job.
Reuters reported:
“’President (Joe) Biden firmly supports Prime Minister Rutte’s candidacy to become the next secretary general of NATO,’ a US official said.
“Prime Minister Rutte has a deep understanding of the importance of the Alliance, is a natural leader and communicator, and his leadership would serve the Alliance well at this critical time.”
The Netherlands’ longest-serving leader, Rutte has maintained good relations with British, European Union and US leaders, including Trump, during his tenure.
“Over the weekend, Rutte urged European leaders to ‘stop bitching, bitching and moaning’ about Trump and instead focus on what they could do to strengthen defense and help Ukraine.
Backing Rutte, the British Foreign Office said he was a highly respected figure across NATO with serious defense and security credentials, and someone who would ensure he remained strong and prepared for any need to defend himself.
To know more:
Dutch Prime Minister Rutte urges European leaders to ‘stop bitching, moaning and complaining about Trump’, says NATO must ‘work with whoever is on the dance floor’
The UK has also backed Mark Rutte to lead NATO as the military alliance’s next secretary general.
The Telegraph reported:
“The Dutch prime minister has ‘serious defense and security credentials’ to lead the transatlantic organisation, a British official announced on Thursday.”
Rutte will be named Stoltenberg’s successor as early as April 4, when NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary at a meeting in Brussels.
“’The UK strongly supports Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in succeeding Jens Stoltenberg as NATO secretary general,’ the official said.
“Rutte is highly respected across the Alliance, has serious defense and security credentials and will ensure the Alliance remains strong and ready to defend and deter.”
Trump’s common-sense comment about the need for NATO countries to invest the agreed minimum amount of 2% of GDP in defense sent liberals and globalists into a panic.
This makes the pragmatic Rutte an even greater asset.
“He is also known for not looking down on nationalist voters, as some of his more liberal European colleagues have done with those who support Trump and Brexit. In 2019, Rutte condemned a “white wine-sipping elite” for criticizing Trump’s attacks on international organizations, such as NATO, the EU and the WTO.”
More than 20 allies have reportedly publicly or privately expressed support for Rutte.
To know more:
Dutch Prime Minister Rutte urges European leaders to ‘stop bitching, moaning and complaining about Trump’, says NATO must ‘work with whoever is on the dance floor’