Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis has officially announced his candidacy to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as the chief of NATO, promising a “renewal of perspective” during a crucial period for the alliance.
Over the past two years, NATO has faced significant security challenges amidst Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“I have decided to enter the competition for the position of NATO Secretary General,” stated Iohannis, whose country shares a border with Ukraine, addressing reporters.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is widely considered the frontrunner to lead the alliance and take over from Stoltenberg, with support from the United States, Britain, and Germany for his potential candidacy.
Hungary, however, said the country would not support Rutte, who has previously criticised Hungary’s government.
A successor for Stoltenberg—the former Norwegian prime minister who has overseen NATO for a decade — is expected to be announced before a July summit in Washington.
“Given the current security context, I believe it is time for our country to assume an even greater responsibility within the Euro-Atlantic leadership,” Iohannis wrote in a statement.
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He said Romania had a “deep understanding, including from the perspective of the historical challenges facing our region, of the current security situation, created by the war launched by Russia against Ukraine.”
“At the same time, I believe that NATO also needs a renewal of the perspective on its mission,” Iohannis added.
No decision is confirmed until consensus is reached on one candidate, according to NATO rules.
