It had been in the works for several weeks. THE Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will soon take over from Jens Stoltenberg at the head of NATO.
After resigning on September 2, he will take office next October 1st in place of the Norwegian, who has been in office for 10 years now. “I know I will leave NATO in good hands,” reacted the latter on the social network “Mark is a true defender of transatlantic relations, a strong leader and a consensus builder.”
His appointment was also immediately welcomed by the Ukrainian presidency. “Your leadership and your commitment to democratic principles are crucial to our common future,” wrote the head of the Ukrainian presidential administration Andriy Yermak.
A veteran of European politics, staunch defender of Ukraine
Mark Rutte had been Prime Minister of the Netherlands since 2010. A veteran of European politics, he has been a staunch defender of Ukraine since the start of the war against Russia.
The Hague signed an agreement this year for two billion euros in military assistance over 10 years, later adding a further billion. The Netherlands also spearheaded efforts to supply kyiv with F-16 fighter jetsa decision described as“historical” by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He knows how to talk to Donald Trump
A seasoned politician, this liberal is renowned for his simplicity and frankness, as well as his political skill in managing balances in politics. His supposed ability to coax Donald Trump also worked in his favor when deciding on the replacement of Mr. Stoltenberg, in the event that the American billionaire were to return to the White House.
The Dutch leader had managed to convince him of the seriousness of the Europeans’ commitment to spending more on their defense, by assuring him of the decisive role played by his tireless critics in this matter.
Known for cycling to work while munching on an apple, he also demonstrated typical Dutch frankness by openly contradicting the US president in the Oval Office. During a visit to Washington in 2018, he interrupted Donald Trump with a “non” resolved, after he said that not reaching a trade agreement with the EU would be “positive”.
He calmed relations between the Netherlands and Turkey
His diplomatic skills also helped calm relations between the Netherlands and Turkey. Execrable between 2017 and 2018, communication between the two countries was reestablished after a visit by Mark Rutte to Istabul to seal the reconciliation.
As for the relationship with Budapest, the handshake Monday evening in Brussels between Mark Rutte and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban marked the end of tensions between the two men, and removed the main obstacle to his appointment as head of NATO .
A picture of “Mr. Normal”
Mark Rutte has an image of “Mr Normal”. The Dutchman is also known for doing his own shopping in his supermarket, and for driving his own Saab to the king’s house.
In a video that has gone viral, he insists on cleaning up the coffee he just spilled in one of the government buildings himself, to applause from staff and laughter at his own clumsiness.
Initially dreaming of a career as a pianist, he joined the Anglo-Dutch consumer giant Unilever after studying at the University of Leiden (centre).
His bachelorhood sparked media speculation, but he always deflected questions, saying only that he was “happy”.
He describes himself as a “man of habit and tradition” and has spent his entire life in The Hague, where he gives lessons voluntarily.
