Mark Rutte takes over as Nato secretary general
Nato has a new leadership: after ten years as Nato secretary general, the Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg has passed on the baton to Mark Rutte. What are the expectations of the press as to how the former Dutch prime minister will perform in his new role?
A pragmatist in the right place
Rutte is the right man to tackle the major challenges the post entails, De Standaard believes:
“He has all the necessary qualities. As a true pragmatist, he is adept at adapting his approach to the circumstances. This is the strategy that served him well for so long as head of the Dutch government. Secondly, Rutte is everyone's friend. He has a lively personality and can get along with anyone. And thirdly, he comes from the Netherlands, one of the most Atlanticist countries in Europe. The main criticism that he had to refute during his time in The Hague was a lack of strategic vision.”
A new role for the EU
Spotmedia takes a look at the expectations surrounding the new Nato secretary general:
“Now that Jens Stoltenberg has left, a new style of leadership is expected to prevail in the corridors of the huge Nato building in Brussels. After a decade of 'Norwegian' administration things will now become a 'little more inclusive', according to a Nato diplomat. After 14 years as the Dutch leader, Mark Rutte is a familiar face at Nato and the EU. People are eager to see how he will coordinate between the bodies now that the latter is assuming a stronger role on security issues. Should Donald Trump return to the White House, the European allies are counting on his negotiating skills to keep the alliance united.”