Saturday, April 19, 2025

NATO Welcomes Rutte as New Secretary-General During Critical Era

Reuters News1

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has been appointed as the next Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), taking on a critical role while Europe is facing a significant security crisis due to the war in Ukraine.

On the 26th, AP reported that Rutte, who is planning to step down from his Prime Minister position in a few weeks, received support from all 32 member nations and will succeed current Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on October 1st.

His appointment comes after his competitor, Romanian Prime Minister Klaus Iohannis, withdrew from the candidacy and received support from major member countries such as the U.S. and Germany. Even Hungary and Turkey, who initially opposed him, shifted their stance to support Rutte due to his diplomatic skills.

Stoltenberg praised his successor on social media as a true Atlanticist, a strong leader, and a mediator, wishing him success.

Rutte faces the task of preparing NATO to counter the anticipated threat from Russia and the rising power of China.

Rutte, the longest-serving Dutch Prime Minister since 2010, is considered a safe choice by foreign media outlets in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the upcoming U.S. elections in November.

As the Dutch Prime Minister, Rutte has been praised as a dealmaker for resolving various crises of the European Union (EU), such as immigration policies.

He also led military support for Ukraine, including the provision of F-16 fighter jets.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has even referred to Rutte as “my friend Mark”.

As the new Secretary-General, Rutte has to lead NATO amidst political uncertainties in Europe, including the French general elections, as well as the possibility of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s re-election in the November elections.

Even whispering directly to Trump while persuading him on the NATO budget issue back in 2018, Rutte is well-regarded for his ability to communicate effectively with Trump and is thus expected to be a suitable Secretary-General for a potential second Trump term.

Hot this week

Foldable iPhone Incoming: 7.76-Inch Display, Samsung Panel, $2K+ Price

Apple is rumored to launch a foldable iPhone next year, priced between $2100-$2300, exceeding Samsung's foldable models.

Oil Prices Jump Nearly 2% After U.S. Sanctions Chinese Refineries

Oil prices surged over 1.8% amid supply concerns after U.S. sanctions on Chinese refineries importing Iranian oil.

Semiconductor Rout Sends Nasdaq Down 3%, S&P Falls 2.2%

The New York stock market plunged due to semiconductor export regulations and stagflation concerns, impacting major tech stocks.

‘Buy British’ Is Trending Again—Here’s What’s Driving It

A survey shows 71% of Britons support buying local products amid concerns over U.S. tariffs and rising living costs.

Markets Wobble After Three-Day Rally—Boeing Tumbles, Tesla Shrugs Off Chart Alarm

U.S. stock indices fell as concerns over Trump's tariffs lingered, while Tesla and Nvidia showed resilience despite market declines.

Topics

Foldable iPhone Incoming: 7.76-Inch Display, Samsung Panel, $2K+ Price

Apple is rumored to launch a foldable iPhone next year, priced between $2100-$2300, exceeding Samsung's foldable models.

Oil Prices Jump Nearly 2% After U.S. Sanctions Chinese Refineries

Oil prices surged over 1.8% amid supply concerns after U.S. sanctions on Chinese refineries importing Iranian oil.

Semiconductor Rout Sends Nasdaq Down 3%, S&P Falls 2.2%

The New York stock market plunged due to semiconductor export regulations and stagflation concerns, impacting major tech stocks.

‘Buy British’ Is Trending Again—Here’s What’s Driving It

A survey shows 71% of Britons support buying local products amid concerns over U.S. tariffs and rising living costs.

Markets Wobble After Three-Day Rally—Boeing Tumbles, Tesla Shrugs Off Chart Alarm

U.S. stock indices fell as concerns over Trump's tariffs lingered, while Tesla and Nvidia showed resilience despite market declines.

Brent Crude Falls Below $65 as IEA Cuts Oil Demand Outlook

International oil prices fell as OPEC and IEA lowered global demand growth forecasts for this year and next, impacting market stability.

Brent Settles at $64.88 as OPEC Sees Slower Global Growth

Oil prices rose slightly as OPEC lowered its global demand growth forecast, reflecting concerns over economic uncertainty and trade disputes.

Wall Street Climbs for Second Day—Dow Up 312 Points, VIX Drops 17%

The New York stock market rises as Trump delays tariffs, easing investor anxiety, though mixed results emerge among major tech firms.

Related Articles