Will Stoltenberg remain in office?

But the question of succession is completely unresolved. Defense Minister Pistorius therefore advocates an extension of the contract.

Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has spoken out in favor of extending the term of office of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. If the alliance cannot agree on a successor, he is “of course in favor of an extension, especially since I appreciate the cooperation,” said the SPD politician at the start of a NATO meeting in Brussels. Pistorius is the first senior politician in the alliance to openly support the Norwegian.

Stoltenberg actually wanted to stop in September after nine years. But for that to happen, the 31 member states would have to have agreed on a successor by the NATO summit in Vilnius in early July – and no such agreement has yet emerged.

Stoltenberg does not want to get involved

Stoltenberg himself does not want to get involved in the difficult search for a successor. The decision on this is a matter for the Member States. The 64-year-old left it open whether he would stay longer than planned even if the Allies made an offer to that effect, merely emphasizing that he was not seeking to extend his contract of his own accord.

As reported by Swedish radio, US President Joe Biden has already asked Stoltenberg to continue in office. However, this has not been officially confirmed. At the NATO meeting in Brussels, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressly thanked Stoltenberg for the work he had done: “Thank you for your leadership,” said Austin. “It is truly impressive leadership you are showing here. We are grateful for your service to NATO and for the sacrifices you are making.”

Stoltenberg’s mandate has been extended three times

Stoltenberg’s contract as NATO Secretary General was last extended by another year until September 30, 2023 in March 2022, 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. Stoltenberg’s mandate has already been extended three times.

A European diplomat confirmed to the AFP news agency that Stoltenberg was on the horizon for another extension at the July 11-12 summit in Lithuania. According to her, it is likely that the heads of state and government will ask Stoltenberg to remain in office until the NATO anniversary summit in Washington in the summer of 2024. Allianz is celebrating its 75th anniversary there.

Frederiksen and Wallace as alternatives?

Most recently, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and British Defense Minister Ben Wallace were considered possible candidates to succeed Stoltenberg. However, both are not without controversy among the member states. The argument against Wallace in EU countries is that he has never been head of state or government and does not come from an EU country. Opponents of Frederiksen point out, among other things, that the important NATO post should not be filled again with someone from a northern alliance state.

Frederiksen herself said she would “absolutely” support an extension for Stoltenberg. Stoltenberg was simply outstanding at the head of NATO for many years. If you can get him to keep going, then she thinks it’s “a really, really good solution.” When asked if she was interested in the job, she replied that she was happy as Prime Minister of Denmark. “No, I’m not on my way to NATO.”