Jens Stoltenberg is due to step down in September after nine years as secretary-general of the military alliance. Read more at straitstimes.com.
BRUSSELS - Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday left open the prospect that his term may be extended as senior officials from alliance member countries openly endorsed the idea - including one of his potential successors.
The job traditionally goes to a senior European political figure but no one can occupy the post without the support of the United States, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s predominant power. British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said openly he would like the job and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has been treated as a serious contender, despite insisting she is not a candidate, according to diplomats.
Mr Wallace is regarded as a long shot as many Nato members argue the post should go to a former prime minister or president to ensure it has top-level political clout, particularly when war is raging on the alliance’s doorstep. While some countries, particularly in Western Europe, signalled support for Ms Frederiksen, others expressed discontent because Denmark falls well short of the Nato goal of spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence. And some, particularly in Eastern Europe, complained she would be the third Nato boss in a row to come from a Nordic country.
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