“We cannot support the election of NATO Secretary General of someone who previously wanted to bring Hungary to its knees,” Szijjártó said.
Mark Rutte has criticized the Hungarian government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban on several occasions. For example, in 2021, Rutte criticized anti-LGBT legislation in Hungary. “This law seriously contradicts the values we stand for. The country must repeal the law and put it on its knees,” Rutte said at the time.
All 31 NATO member states must agree to appoint a successor to Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. With his criticism, Szijjarto adds to the uncertainty surrounding Rutte's possible appointment as NATO chief.
The website stated that a third of the 31 member states have not yet expressed their opinion regarding Rutte’s nomination POLITICO. Eastern European countries in particular remain critical.
The heavyweights, Great Britain, France and Germany, openly expressed their support for Rutte. Two weeks ago, Reuters quoted a senior American official as saying that US President Joe Biden also wants the Dutchman as head of the coalition.
Klaus Johannes
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis also made himself available for the position last month. “It is unacceptable if no European position is occupied by member states in the East,” he said.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and former Latvian Prime Minister Arturs Krisjanis Karins have also been mentioned in recent weeks as potential contenders for the top job in NATO, but have not been put forward as official candidates by their governments.
