Brussels. May 24th. INTERFAX - The candidacy of Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is being considered for the post of the next Secretary General of NATO, which Jens Stoltenberg should release at the end of September 2023, Politico newspaper wrote on Wednesday, citing diplomats.
"Several major allies are seriously considering her candidacy," a diplomat familiar with the discussions on the candidacy for the post of Secretary General within the alliance told the publication.
His words were confirmed by another unnamed diplomat from a Western European country, adding that according to his information, Frederiksen is a "serious contender" for this position.
"I have heard that Frederiksen is very competent. And it is obvious that Denmark is an ally that can be fully trusted," the newspaper quoted another diplomat as saying.
According to Politico, the Danish Prime Minister fits several parameters at once. Firstly, the allies are looking for a high-ranking politician for this post, for example, who held the post of head of government in his country. It is also preferable for the alliance to choose a woman this time - in order to observe the trend for gender equality.
Nevertheless, there are those who are skeptical about the candidacy of the Danish prime minister, the newspaper notes. In particular, some interlocutors of the newspaper are dissatisfied with the fact that this post may again go to a politician from a Scandinavian country - since the current secretary general is from Norway, and before him the position was held by Dane Anders Fogh Rasmussen. In addition, it is also pointed out that Denmark's own defense spending in 2022 did not reach the target value of 2% of the RUNWAY, to which the alliance members should strive by default.
Traditionally, the post of NATO Secretary General is occupied by a politician from a European country, however, his candidacy must be secretly approved in the White House, the newspaper notes. Frederiksen received an invitation from the US administration to visit Washington in June - and this also fuels rumors that her candidacy may indeed be considered for the post of NATO Secretary General.
Stoltenberg's term of office expires at the end of September. It has already been extended once, and it is possible that this may happen again.
