“We cannot support the election for NATO Secretary General of someone who previously wanted to bring Hungary to its knees,” Szijjártó said.
Mark Rutte has been critical of the Hungarian government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on several occasions. For example, in 2021, Rutte criticized Hungary’s anti-LGBTI legislation. ‘This law is seriously contrary to the values we stand for. The country must repeal the law and bring it to its knees,” Rutte said at the time.
All 31 NATO member states must agree to the appointment of Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s successor. With his criticism, Szijjártó increases the uncertainty surrounding Rutte’s possible appointment as NATO chief.
A third of the 31 member states have not yet expressed their opinion on Rutte’s candidacy, reports the website Politico. Eastern European countries in particular remain critical.
The heavyweights Great Britain, France and Germany have openly expressed their support for Rutte. Two weeks ago, the Reuters news agency reported on the authority of a senior American official that US President Joe Biden also wants the Dutchman as the head of the alliance.
Klaus Johannis
Romanian President Klaus Johannis also made himself available for that position last month. “It is inadmissible if no European position is occupied by the Member States in the East,” he said.
The names of Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Latvian former Prime Minister Arturs Krisjanis Karins have also been mentioned in recent weeks as possible contenders for the top job at NATO, but they have not been put forward as formal candidates by their governments.
2024-03-06 07:23:00
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