On 26 June, the North Atlantic Council decided to appoint Mark Rutte as the next NATO Secretary General, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg as of 1 October.

Ambassadors from the alliance's 32 members took the decision at a meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Rutte, who served as Dutch Prime Minister from 2010 to 2024 and as leader of ALDE Party member VVD from 2006 to 2023, said he looked forward to taking up the job "with great vigour".

"The Alliance is and will remain the cornerstone of our collective security. Leading this organisation is a responsibility I do not take lightly," said Rutte.

“I warmly welcome NATO Allies' choice of Mark Rutte as my successor. Mark is a true transatlanticist, a strong leader and a consensus-builder. I wish him every success as we continue to strengthen NATO. I know I am leaving NATO in good hands,” added Stoltenberg.

I warmly welcome #NATO Allies' choice of @MinPres Mark Rutte as my successor. Mark is a true transatlanticist, a strong leader and a consensus-builder. I wish him every success as we continue to strengthen NATO.

I know I am leaving NATO in good hands.https://t.co/D0ass7fKiL

— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) June 26, 2024