The European diplomat described the selection process for NATO Secretary General as the most opaque set of elections following Jens Stoltenberg’s term, noting that practice has often blurred lines between consensus and power. He labeled the process as exceptionally unclear and opaque, emphasizing the challenge of achieving a transparent outcome in a multinational alliance with competing national interests.
He clarified that the decision should ideally rest on unanimous agreement among all NATO members, yet described a reality where the United States, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom wield the strongest influence within the alliance’s decision-making circles.
Among potential contenders, the discussion has frequently focused on Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, with indications that Washington shows notable support for these names according to the briefing sources.
On the eve of a statement from Oana Lungescu, the alliance’s spokesperson, Stoltenberg indicated he would not automatically extend his mandate, which was due to conclude in September 2023, signaling a deliberate transition plan that would require consensus for any extension.
Towards the end of January, reports from Politico suggested Stoltenberg expressed an interest in remaining in a leadership role beyond his current tenure, though no formal commitment had been announced. This expectation of continuity mirrored wider speculation about leadership continuity within allied structures.
In December of the previous year, TV2 reported Stoltenberg’s potential candidacy for a different global post, such as the presidency of the International Monetary Fund. The channel noted that if appointed, the change could occur after the end of his NATO tenure, potentially by October 1, 2023, highlighting the broader career options considered by the veteran diplomat as part of his long-term public service trajectory. (source attribution: Politico, TV2)