Mark Rutte, the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, made headlines in July 2023 by announcing his resignation from politics after his government coalition fell apart due to disagreements over migration policy. However, by October of the same year, Rutte had shifted gears and expressed interest in becoming the next NATO Secretary General, following the departure of Jens Stoltenberg in September 2024.
Rutte, known for his diplomacy and political acumen, began a discreet campaign to court NATO leaders, particularly with the backing of US President Joe Biden. Despite his reputation as “Mr. No” in the EU due to rejecting ambitious reform plans, Rutte maintained good relationships with key leaders like Olaf Scholz and Giorgia Meloni.
One of Rutte’s biggest challenges in securing the NATO position was appeasing Hungary’s Viktor Orban, a known critic. Rutte managed to navigate these murky waters, showing his ability to steer complex political relationships to his advantage.
With a strong stance on arming Ukraine and a history of confronting Russian President Vladimir Putin, Rutte’s liberal politics may face challenges within the NATO framework. However, his experience in coalition-building and consensus management, honed during his tenure as Dutch Prime Minister, will be valuable assets in his new role as NATO Secretary General.