On Tuesday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressed his support for Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s NATO secretary general candidacy.
“Hungary is ready to support PM Rutte’s bid for NATO Secretary General,” Orbán said on X, alongside a copy of a letter from Rutte promising to respect an agreement between Orbán and the current secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, that Hungary will not be required to contribute to Ukraine’s war effort.
Rutte requires the unanimous support of all 32 NATO countries to succeed Stoltenberg, but Orbán has not yet given Hungary’s support.
In his letter dated Tuesday, Rutte acknowledges Hungarian dissatisfaction over remarks made in 2021. He emphasizes that if NATO appoints him Secretary General, he will prioritize unity among Allies. Rutte commits to treating all NATO members with equal understanding and respect.
EU leaders accuse Orbán’s government of undermining Hungary’s rule of law, and European Union courts have also ruled against Budapest.
Rutte and Orbán met in Brussels before an EU leaders’ dinner, where Rutte mentioned sending a forthcoming letter to Orbán. He clarified to reporters that Orbán hadn’t requested an apology, emphasizing their focus on the future. The discussion highlighted diplomatic efforts between the Dutch and Hungarian leaders.
Slovakia’s new president, Peter Pellegrini, announced Monday that his country would support Rutte, according to Slovakian national news agency TASR.
However, Rutte still needs Romania’s support, as President Klaus Iohannis has nominated himself for the position of NATO chief.
This alliance is set to bolster NATO’s resilience and strategic initiatives under Rutte’s potential stewardship, fostering greater unity and cooperation among member states with Hungary support Rutte.
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