Mark Rutte set to be next NATO chief after securing Romania's backing

The outgoing Dutch Prime Minister will head the military alliance for the coming years after Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg steps down

Transcript

00:00Romanian President Klaus Johannes gave up his candidacy for the head of NATO position,

00:06meaning the Netherlands Mark Rutte will head the alliance.

00:12The outgoing Dutch Prime Minister will head the military alliance for the coming years

00:16once Norway's Jens Stoltenberg steps down.

00:21Rutte will govern over a challenging few years as the transatlantic alliance balances Russian

00:27aggression and potentially wavering US support.

00:31The Romanian President had put himself forward for the role but his government has now offered

00:36support to Rutte, according to a press release.

00:40Stoltenberg has been in the post since 2014 and had been due to stand down last year.

00:48Rutte will serve a term of at least four years.

00:51He has led the Netherlands since 2010 but is set to step down on the 2nd of July.