BRUSSELS – Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of NATO, finally gave in. After previously announcing he would leave the job in September, he returned on Tuesday and said he had agreed to extend his term for another year, until October 2024.
In a Twitter messageConfirmed what seemed inevitable, Mr Stoltenberg said: “Honored by the decision of #NATO allies to extend my term as Secretary General until October 1, 2024.”
His reappointment removes a contentious issue from the agenda of the annual NATO summit, which will take place next week in Vilnius, Lithuania. The meeting aims to demonstrate transatlantic unity and solidarity in support of Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.
The Biden administration was unenthusiastic about other candidates for the job as the war in Ukraine still rages, and France and other members of the European Union had made it clear they would not accept a non-EU figure in the role, as the British Defense Secretary, Ben Wallace.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen went to Washington last month to meet with President Biden and US officials, but she later said she was no longer a candidate to become Secretary General of NATO and would support Mr Stoltenberg if he was willing to do so. extend his term of office.
Mr Stoltenberg, 64, a former Prime Minister of Norway, has held this position since 2014 and his mandate has been extended three times. He has won the trust of allies, especially Washington, through his calm demeanor, his public humility, and his ability to navigate the demands of today’s 31 member states in a consensual organization.
He was particularly praised for his ability to work with former President Donald J. Trump, whose contempt for NATO was often on display.
Mr Stoltenberg is now expected to chair his final summit in Washington next year, which will also mark NATO’s 75th anniversary. That is, unless he is asked to renew his mandate again.
