NATO has appointed outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as the alliance’s next secretary-general in October.

After welcoming Mr Rutte’s selection, Mr Stoltenberg said Mr Rutte was a true Trans-Atlanticist, a strong leader, and a consensus-builder.

“I wish him every success as we continue to strengthen NATO for the challenges of today and tomorrow. I know I am leaving NATO in good hands,’’ he added.

Mr Rutte, a centre-right politician who is the longest-serving prime minister in Dutch history, said his appointment was a “tremendous honour’’ in a post on X.

Paying tribute to Mr Stoltenberg’s leadership, Mr Rutte said he was grateful to all the allies for placing their trust in him.

The appointment for an initial four-year term was made by the North Atlantic Council, which was the decision-making body of the alliance made up of ambassadors to NATO.

The Dutch prime minister became secretary-general at a challenging time for the Western military alliance, facing down a more aggressive Russia and supporting Ukraine amid Moscow’s ongoing invasion.

NATO is also concerned about the rising military strength of Beijing and views China as a challenge to the alliance’s security.

Mr Rutte, 57, is tasked with the political leadership of NATO and ensuring a consensus can be found within the alliance for difficult issues, especially in times of crisis.

The potential return of former U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House in November would be a major test for Mr Rutte.

Past statements from Mr Trump have cast doubt on U.S. collective defence commitments to the alliance.

He has also threatened to withdraw the U.S. from NATO.

Mr Trump also repeatedly criticised what he viewed as low defence spending among European allies.

The NATO secretary-general is also the highest administrative official, representing the defence alliance at the international level and heading NATO headquarters.

After a decade in the office, Mr Stoltenberg’s term will end on October 1. His term was extended in March 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, until September 2023.

Unable to agree on his successor, NATO allies extended his mandate until 2024.

The Norwegian was already the second-longest-serving secretary general, after Dutchman Joseph Luns, who led NATO from 1971 to 1984.

Mr Stoltenberg has earned recognition as a skilful mediator between the sometimes very different interests of the now 32 NATO members, especially shepherding Sweden and Finland into the alliance against initial Turkish opposition.

He was credited with moderating the debate over low defence spending by the European allies, which led to particularly heated debates during Trump’s time in office.

He has also had to coordinate NATO’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Mr Rutte, who became prime minister in 2010, quickly became the frontrunner to be the next NATO chief after receiving the early support of the U.S., Germany and Britain.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, former British defence minister Ben Wallace and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis were also candidates.

Resistance from Hungary also needed to be overcome after Mr Rutte clashed with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán over EU policy, corruption and rule of law issues.

(dpa/NAN)