After nine years, the mandate of NATO head Jens Stoltenberg has almost expired, he had previously indicated that he would not extend the term. Several names are mentioned as potential successors, former senior diplomat Pieter Feith expects a Dutchman to have a good chance: Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Feith says the scenario that Stoltenberg is still willing to sign until April next year also needs to be considered. “Then there will be another NATO summit in Washington, which is a ritual held every five years,” explains the former senior diplomat.
Contenders
According to Feith, the possibility of Stoltenberg extending his tenure slightly has increased now that other positions aren’t so soon on the horizon. “The post at the Central Bank of Norway has been filled, so he has nothing else. It will also be useful to stay a little longer, because in this way other candidates can come forward more easily’, Feith expects.
The former senior diplomat initially named former British Prime Minister Theresa May as a contender. But given the changes on the international scene, other bigwigs have also appeared on her radar. “There is a possibility that Ursula von der Leyen, current president of the European Commission, will change,” thinks Feith.
“Rutte has a good chance”
But Prime Minister Mark Rutte is also mentioned by Feith as a possible successor to Stoltenberg. «Rutte has a good chance. French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Amsterdam was very friendly and warm. It’s possible that Rutte’s chances may have improved as a result,” Feith says.
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
