Not interested in renewal
NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg will retire in the fall
02/12/2023, 02:50 am
Shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the NATO Secretary General extended his mandate for a third time. But it should finally be over in the fall. Then the Norwegian wants to return to his homeland.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg intends to give up his post in autumn of this year as planned. “He has no intention of seeking a further extension of his mandate,” said his spokeswoman Oana Lungescu on request. Stoltenberg’s mandate has already been extended three times and he has been in office for almost nine years.
Recently, there has been repeated speculation that the 63-year-old’s term of office could be extended again against the background of the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine – at least until the anniversary summit planned in Washington in 2024 to mark the 75th anniversary of the alliance. At the same time, diplomats had pointed out that another extension could give the impression that NATO could not agree on anyone new.
Stoltenberg’s term of office was last extended by another year to September 30, 2023, in March, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Actually, the former Norwegian head of government had already wanted to stop last year and go back to his homeland. There he had wanted to become head of the central bank.
Stoltenberg has gained recognition above all as a skillful mediator between the sometimes very different interests of the now 30 NATO countries. He is particularly credited with moderating the dispute over defense spending by the European allies, which escalated during the tenure of US President Donald Trump. Trump even threatened at times that the United States would leave the alliance. Most recently, Stoltenberg coordinated the alliance’s response to the Russian war against Ukraine and campaigned for extensive arms deliveries to the attacked country.
At more than eight years, Stoltenberg is already the second longest-serving Secretary General in the history of the alliance. The Dutchman Joseph Luns has been the Alliance’s highest international official for the longest time. He held office from 1971 to 1984. So far, it is not clear who could become the next NATO Secretary General. In alliance circles, for example, former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis are mentioned as possible candidates.
A decision by the 30 alliance states is to be made at the latest in July at the NATO summit in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius. It must be unanimous. Before the decision is made, there are usually confidential talks between individual heads of state and government and top diplomats.