What can we expect from the new leader of the North Atlantic Alliance?

When Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte visited the White House in January 2023, he unexpectedly joked with U.S. President Joe Biden:

"You’ve offered me the position of NATO Secretary General twice, and I’ve refused both times. If you offer a third time, I’ll accept."

These words, spoken with a smile, may have seemed like a joke at the time, but subsequent events proved that Rutte was indeed aiming for this goal. Now, in the fall of 2024, after securing the support of Hungary and Slovakia and seeing Romanian President Klaus Iohannis's candidacy fade, Rutte has become the successor to Jens Stoltenberg as NATO Secretary General.

The Path to His New Role

After that meeting with Biden, Rutte began adjusting his actions in preparation for this ambitious goal. His 14-year experience as Prime Minister of the Netherlands laid a strong foundation for this move. During his time in office, Rutte led four governments and demonstrated exceptional self-control, stability, and predictability. He almost always acted according to clear rules and plans, choosing to work with those he could trust.

Born in The Hague to a middle-class family, Rutte began his career as an HR manager at Unilever and later became the leader of the Dutch Liberal Party (VVD). Throughout his political career, he has repeatedly proven capable of overcoming challenges and finding compromises, even in the most difficult political situations.

A Man of Rituals

Rutte is known for his attachment to rituals. He constantly seeks stability and predictability in both his work and personal life. Every Saturday, he buys coffee from the same café, every Sunday he meets friends at a sports club, and during late government meetings, he orders the same meal. His colleagues and friends know this routine so well that it has become a subject of good-natured jokes.

This approach to routine rituals allows Rutte to organize his life and work in such a way that avoids unpredictable situations. He despises surprises, as demonstrated in many instances where spontaneous actions by his colleagues led to conflicts.

A Pragmatic Leader

One of Rutte's key traits is his ability to compromise. He always prioritizes stability and agreements over principles, allowing him to work successfully with both left- and right-wing parties. His negotiation flexibility has earned him the nickname "Teflon Mark" in Dutch political circles.

This flexibility will be crucial in NATO, an organization consisting of 32 countries that operates based on consensus. Rutte, who always aims to find common ground with everyone, will be an important leader for the Alliance in these turbulent times.

Conclusion

Mark Rutte is a politician who has always approached his work with a focus on stability and predictability. His path to the position of NATO Secretary General has been gradual and well-planned, and his experience and ability to compromise will enable him to lead the Alliance effectively in challenging times. As someone who does not tolerate surprises and unpredictability, Rutte will likely bring a new style of leadership to NATO, one based on pragmatism and stability.