Shortly before the NATO summit, the discussion about Stoltenberg's successor begins

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg plans to leave office in the fall. His successor is already much debated.

Washington, D.C. – Jens Stoltenberg has been at the helm of NATO as Secretary General for almost nine years. The Norwegian politician's term of office was last extended due to Russia's war in Ukraine, but expires in September 2023. It is still unclear who will take over his post – but the successor has long been discussed.

Stoltenberg's successor: A decision could be made as early as the NATO summit in Vilnius

One possible option is the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen. She visited the White House in Washington D.C. on June 5. "Will US President Biden crown Frederiksen as NATO Secretary General?" the Danish media said. After the appointment, Frederiksen is now considered a top candidate.

Frederiksen is 45 years old and a member of the Danish Social Democratic Party. Since 2019, she has been the head of government of the Scandinavian country. With the approval of the US president, she could be appointed Stoltenberg's successor at the approaching NATO summit on July 11 and 12 in the capital of Lithuania.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is considered the top candidate to succeed Stoltenberg after her visit to the White House. © IMAGO/Kleponis/Pool

Will soon be the first woman to head NATO?

For a long time, there has been thinking about a woman in office, which has always been filled by men. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is also considered a promising candidate. The British newspaper The Sun also reported on a possible candidacy of Ursula von der Leyen. However, the former German defense minister contradicted these reports. According to insiders, von der Leyen probably has a greater interest in remaining at the helm of the powerful EU Commission, as the AFP press agency writes.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference in Brussels. © IMAGO/Huansong

The heads of government of the Netherlands and Spain, as well as the British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, are also said to have great ambitions.

Wallace already threw his hat into the ring in mid-May for a successor as NATO Secretary General. "I've always said that this is a good job. That's a job I would like," Wallace told the German Press Agency after a meeting with his counterpart Boris Pistorius in Berlin. However, Wallace is considered to have little chance. His country should not be rewarded for Brexit, according to EU states in NATO.

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Discussion about the office of the Secretary General: Understanding of European NATO members needed

For the appointment of Stoltenberg's successor, the European members of NATO must come to an agreement. According to the unwritten rules of the transatlantic alliance, they are entitled to the office. The U.S. traditionally provides the commander-in-chief. Since the summer of 2022, four-star General Christopher Cavoli has held this post.

Diplomats do not rule out that Stoltenberg will be asked for another year as secretary general. However, the 64-year-old Norwegian dismissed rumours of a renewed extension of his term in February. (with AFP and dpa)