NATO struggles to find new secretary general

The conflict in Ukraine has changed things dramatically and created a new bright spot for NATO. Therefore, the process of finding a new NATO Secretary General during this period requires more factors, because any move by the alliance during this period must be very careful.

The most potential candidates

According to Reuters, with little time left, the race for NATO Secretary General is heating up. There has been some speculation about potential candidates to replace Mr. Stoltenberg.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on a working trip to Germany on April 21

During a trip to Germany last week, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace expressed interest in becoming the next leader of NATO and said he "would love the job," according to The Telegraph.

Mr Wallace told German news agency DPA that being secretary general of the transatlantic alliance "is a great job" but it "is not my decision".

In addition, NATO members are also looking for the alliance to have its first female secretary general, while others want the position to belong to a former head of state to ensure NATO has the highest political influence. There are also opinions that NATO leader should be someone from a European Union (EU) member state to strengthen the relationship between the two alliances.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is therefore seen as a strong candidate, as she meets all three criteria. NATO diplomats say they are seriously considering backing Frederiksen, although she has said she is not interested in the post.

Speculation about Frederiksen becoming the next NATO leader intensified after the White House confirmed she would meet with US President Joe Biden in early June. The NATO secretary-general position traditionally goes to a European, but any serious candidate would need the backing of Washington, the alliance's leading power.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen speaks at her office in Copenhagen, March 2020.

If elected, Ms Frederiksen would be the third consecutive head of NATO from a Nordic country. However, she would have to give up her post as Norway’s prime minister, which political commentators say would push her fragile government to the brink of collapse.

However, a source familiar with the matter said the Biden administration has not yet settled on a candidate and that “lively debates” are taking place among top aides. The State Department said it was too early to speculate on who Washington would support.

Other possibilities

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen (from Germany) and Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland were also named in discussions among diplomats and the press, according to Reuters.

But diplomats say Ms Kallas is seen as too hawkish on Russia compared to other NATO members. Being too tough on Russia would pose a difficult challenge for NATO at a time when the alliance must ensure its allies support Ukraine while avoiding any escalation that could draw NATO into direct conflict with Russia.

Germany, meanwhile, wants Ms von der Leyen to stay on to run the EC. Ms Freeland faces major obstacles as a non-European and from a country seen as lagging in defence spending.

Other names considered include Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. However, Mr Rutte has said he does not want to do so, while Mr Sanchez is busy with a general election later this year.

NATO countries typically decide who will be secretary general in closed-door meetings. But the decision is not clear-cut, and takes place largely in consultations between leaders and diplomats. Those consultations will continue until all NATO members agree that they have reached a consensus.

If NATO fails to agree on any candidate, Mr Stoltenberg’s term is likely to be extended again, at least until another NATO summit in 2024. However, Mr Stoltenberg has said he does not want to stay longer.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/nato-vat-va-tim-tan-tong-thu-ky-185230527110240872.htm