Mark Rutte does not have to rely on Hungary’s support for his candidacy for NATO Secretary General. This was stated by Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó at a press conference.

“We certainly cannot support a man as NATO president who previously tried to bring Hungary to its knees,” Szijjárto said. He was referring to criticisms Rutte has made in the past regarding the collapse of democracy and the rule of law in Hungary.

Three years ago, after laws were implemented in Hungary that imposed a “ban on gay promotion”, Rutte said Hungary “no longer has any business in the EU”. “If Europe is, in addition to the market and currency, also a community of values, it cannot be true that a country in the European Union might do something as backward as the Hungarians are doing now.”

Earlier in 2020, Hungarian Prime Minister Orban complained that he did not understand why the Dutch Prime Minister hated him and Hungary so much.

Although there is no formal procedure for choosing a new secretary-general, Rutte needs the support of all 31 NATO member states. There is support from the vast majority, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

Supporters of Rutte’s candidacy say they are not concerned about Hungary’s position. Diplomats from two member states told ANP news agency that support for Rutte was “broad and strong”. It will be difficult for Hungary to continue to resist this.

Until recently, Hungary continued to block Sweden’s accession to NATO for some time. Here too, Sweden’s criticism of the Hungarian constitutional state was the reason for the disapproval. Last week, the Hungarian Parliament approved Sweden’s membership in NATO.

Two weeks ago, a rival candidate for NATO’s top job introduced himself: Romanian President Iohannis. He calls for more geographical diversity in European senior positions. In the announcement, he described it as wrong that there have been few or no appointments of officials from Eastern and Central Europe since the European Parliament elections in 2019.

What challenges await Rutte if he becomes NATO head? What would it mean for the Netherlands if he left? Nieuwsuur explains it in this video: