Experienced, well-connected and a skilled negotiator and communicator ¡ª these are just some of the attributes NATO¡¯s largest member states have used to describe outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as they back his bid to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as the next secretary-general of the world¡¯s largest military alliance.
Having led several Dutch coalition governments over the past 13 years, the 57-year-old has accumulated a wealth of experience, diplomatic skills and contacts both in Europe and across the globe, and is known as a pragmatist who is well aware of the importance of trans-Atlantic ties.
But while he is the front-runner for the job, Rutte¡¯s appointment is still far from secure as about a third of the alliance¡¯s 31-member states have reportedly yet to back the Dutchman, with Hungary even saying publicly that it ¡°cannot¡± support his bid.
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