Front against Rutte

Romania’s president wants to become NATO chief

Klaus Johannis (right) is running to succeed Jens Stoltenberg at the head of NATO.(Bild: APA/AFP/Andrei PUNGOVSCHI)

As previously reported, an Eastern European front is building up against the candidacy of outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte for the post of NATO Secretary General. What has been rumored for weeks is now official: Romania's President Klaus Johannis is also running for the post.

In view of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, a "more balanced contribution and influence of Eastern Europe within the framework of the defense alliance" is necessary, Johannis said in a TV address. The Romanian president, whose second and final term of office expires in December, made it clear that his country currently spends 2.5 percent of its national budget on defense.

Romania currently participates "in all NATO missions as well as in NATO-led peacekeeping missions in the Balkans", contributes to ensuring security in the Black Sea region and also unconditionally supports war-torn neighboring Ukraine, the 64-year-old added.

Klaus Johannis (right) is running to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as head of NATO.(Bild: APA/AFP/Andrei PUNGOVSCHI)

Ex-president: "Rutte despises Eastern Europe"
Johannis is therefore clearly the underdog in the race, in which Rutte is considered the heavy favorite. The USA, Germany, Great Britain and France have spoken out in favor of the Dutchman. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether there will be a consensus among the NATO states regarding Rutte. Several countries on the eastern flank of the military alliance, including Bulgaria, Turkey, Hungary and Romania, do not support him as the next Secretary General.

Just last week, Johannis' predecessor Traian Basescu emphasized in a talk show that Johannis had a "real duty" to prevent Mark Rutte from becoming NATO Secretary General, as he had nothing but contempt for Eastern Europe, according to Basescu.