Outgoing Dutch PM expected to take over as Nato chief

Mark Rutte will come in at perilous moment for Western allies as Ukraine war drags on

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Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on June 20 clinched the race to become the next head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) at a pivotal time for the alliance, after sole challenger Romanian President Klaus Iohannis pulled out.

The 57-year-old veteran politician is expected to be formally named by Nato's 32 nations in the coming days, and should take over when current chief Jens Stoltenberg's term ends on Oct 1.

Mr Rutte will come in at a perilous moment for the Western allies as Russia's invasion of Ukraine drags on and Donald Trump battles to reclaim the presidency in the United States come November.

After staking his claim for the job in 2023 following the collapse of his coalition, staunch Ukraine backer Mr Rutte quickly won the support of heavyweights the US, Britain, France and Germany.

But he had to use all the diplomatic skills gleaned during almost 14 years in charge of the Netherlands to win over holdouts led by Turkey and Hungary.

He overcame Turkish reticence with an April visit to Istanbul before finally sealing a deal with Hungary's Viktor Orban at a European Union summit this week.