Romania says yes, clearing the way for Mark Rutte to head Nato

Outgoing Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte is now set to take over as secretary general of Nato, following the withdrawal of Romania’s candidate Klaus Iohannis.

Iohannis told a press conference on Thursday that he was pulling out of the race, removing the last obstacle to Rutte’s appointment. Nato ambassadors are expected to formally announce the move next week.

There is no formal procedure for naming the secretary general but all 32 members must agree. Earlier this week both Slovakia and Hungary said they had no objections. Rutte had been the US favoured choice for months.

Rutte will be the fourth Dutch leader of Nato, following Dirk Stikker (1961-1964), Joseph Luns (1971-1984) and Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (2004-2009).

Outgoing secretary general Jens Stoltenberg told a meeting in Canada on Wednesday that Rutte is a “great man” who “strongly believes in the transatlantic bond”.

“He’s a friend and colleague, Stoltenberg said. “So Nato will be very good hands, given that Mark Rutte is going to be the next secretary general.”