NATO: Romania Pres. Withdrawal Means Rutte Set For Sec-Gen Position

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has ended his bid to become the next secretary general of NATO, removing the last obstacle for outgoing Dutch PM Mark Rutte to succeed incumbent Jens Stoltenberg on 1 October. Following a meeting on the sidelines of the 17 June European Council meeting between Rutte and Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, Rutte sent a letter to his Hungarian counterpart reaffirming the opt-out for Hungary on military and financial support for Ukraine given previously by Stoltenberg. This proved enough to remove Orban's prior objections. 

• Iohannis was seen as a long-shot for the NATO leadership position, and was relying on a groundswell of support from other eastern European members. However, with major NATO powers including the US, UK, Germany and France backing Rutte, the Romanian's chances of winning the position were slim. 
• It will be at the NATO leaders' summit, taking place 9-11 July in Washington, D.C., that Rutte's appointment is set to be formally announced. There is no formal process to selecting a secretary general, but the assent of all 32 members is required. 
• Rutte has gained support due to his position as a long-serving international leader (14 years as Dutch PM) and the fact that he is not as hawkish on Russia as some confirmed/potential eastern European candidates including Iohannis and Estonian PM Kaja Kallas. Kallas is instead seen as likely to take on the position of European Commission High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.