The Romanian president Klaus Johannis announced today his candidacy to succeed him Jens Stoltenberg in the leadership of NATO, a position however for which Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte appears to be the favorite.

“I have decided to run for the post of NATO secretary general,” Iohannis said in a brief speech, underscoring his experience as the president of the Eastern European country at the forefront of NATO after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “I think NATO needs to renew its perspective on its mission. Eastern Europe has a valuable contribution to make to NATO talks and decisions,” he said.

However, many member states of the Alliance support the Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte to succeed Stoltenberg. The name of the outgoing prime minister of the Netherlands has been heard more and more lately for the position of the secretary general of NATO and the 57-year-old politician is supported by the USA, Germany and Britain.

Last week, however, Hungary openly expressed her disagreement with Rutte’s candidacy.

The unanimity of the 32 member states of the Alliance is required for the appointment of the new secretary general.