Ursula von der Leyen, the European Union President, is emerging as a strong contender for the next NATO chief position, a critical role in shaping the future of the alliance. Amidst ongoing challenges and increasing tensions with Russia, her robust transatlantic credentials and experience in defence and security make her an ideal candidate. Hence analyzing von der Leyen’s background, her pro-American stance, and her inherent anti-Russian attitude becomes important, while also examining the controversies surrounding her potential appointment as the head of NATO.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a political and military alliance of 30 North American and European countries, which was established in 1949 with the primary objective of promoting peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic region. NATO is committed to the principle of collective defence, which means that an attack against one member state is considered an attack against all member states, and NATO will respond with all necessary measures to protect its members.
In recent years, the NATO alliance has faced several challenges, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has caused unprecedented political and economic instability in the region and significant loss of lives. The situation has also led to a deterioration in relations between Russia and NATO member states, as well as increased tensions between NATO and Russia.
Amidst this challenging context, the election of a new NATO chief is an important event. Current Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is due to step down later this year after his term was extended due to the war in Ukraine.
The Secretary General of NATO is the head of the alliance and plays a critical role in shaping NATO’s policies and strategies. The Secretary General serves as the chief spokesperson for the alliance and represents NATO in various international forums. The position is currently held by Jens Stoltenberg, who has been in office since 2014.
The NATO Secretary General plays a crucial role in managing NATO’s relationship with Russia. The conflict in Ukraine has led to increased tensions between NATO and Russia, with both sides accusing each other of aggressive actions. The Secretary General plays a key role in maintaining open channels of communication with Russia and in promoting dialogue between NATO and Russia to reduce tensions and prevent the risk of conflict.
In addition to managing relations with Russia, the Secretary General is also responsible for leading NATO’s efforts to promote security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic region. This includes overseeing NATO’s military operations and missions, such as the ongoing Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, and ensuring that NATO is able to respond effectively to emerging security threats.
The election of a new NATO chief is also important because it provides an opportunity to reflect on the future direction of the alliance. NATO faces a range of challenges, including terrorism, cyber threats, and instability in the Middle East and North Africa. The new Secretary General will need to work with member states to ensure that NATO is able to adapt to these challenges and remain an effective and relevant organisation.
The election of a new NATO chief is a complex process that involves consultation and negotiation among member states. The Secretary General is appointed by the North Atlantic Council, which is made up of the ambassadors of all NATO member states. The appointment must be made by consensus, which means that all member states must agree on the candidate.
There is no formal election, with the 30-strong Western alliance privately choosing a new leader by consensus.
The Americans do not usually put up a candidate as a US General traditionally serves as a Supreme Allied Commander of Europe. But the White House has a big say in who gets the job.
According to recent reports, European Union President Ursula von der Leyen is in the running to be the new head of NATO.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is in contention to be the first NATO Secretary General from Britain in 20 years. It is understood that PM Rishi Sunak is formally backing his bid.
Estonia PM Kaja Kallas has also been tipped for the job — but is said to have ruled herself out as she stares down the threat of Russia on her own borders.
Canada’s Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland — who is half Ukrainian — is also in the running. However, a NATO source suggested that her chances of securing the position are slim, given Canada’s failure to meet the alliance-wide target of spending two per cent of GDP on defence.
As a result, Von der Leyen is considered one of the frontrunners for the position of NATO chief. Why wouldn’t she be a strong candidate? After all, she possesses all the qualities that America seeks in a loyal ally.
Firstly, let’s take a look at her background. Von der Leyen is a German politician who has held several high-level positions in the German government, including Minister of Defence and Minister of Family Affairs. She has been a vocal advocate for closer European integration and a stronger European defence policy. Her pro-American attitude is also well-known, as she has repeatedly emphasised the importance of the transatlantic alliance and the need for Europe to maintain close ties with the United States.
She also possesses an inherent anti-Russian attitude. This can be traced back to her time as Minister of Defence. During her tenure, she pushed for increased military spending and a stronger NATO presence in Eastern Europe, in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its military intervention in Ukraine. She also played a key role in Germany’s decision to send weapons to Kurdish forces fighting against ISIS in Syria, which was seen as a rebuke to Russia’s support for the Syrian government.
Besides, Ursula von der Leyen has indeed taken up a radical climate agenda, both at the European Commission and in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This has been a central part of her policy agenda, reflecting her commitment to tackling the urgent and pressing challenge of climate change.
As President of the European Commission, von der Leyen has launched the European Green Deal, which is a comprehensive plan to make the European Union (EU) climate neutral by 2050. Thus, she fits as a perfect candidate in the eyes of the American foreign policy establishment, which has put a huge focus on the green agenda.
Considering her background, it is not surprising that von der Leyen has emerged as a potential candidate for the role of NATO chief. Her experience in defence and security, combined with her robust transatlantic credentials, renders her a compelling choice for the position. However, there are also some controversies surrounding her candidacy.
One of the main criticisms of von der Leyen is her tenure as Minister of Defence, which was marked by a series of scandals and missteps. These included accusations of nepotism, mismanagement of funds, and a botched attempt to modernise the German military. These issues led to calls for her resignation and tarnished her reputation both in Germany and abroad.
Another concern is her approach to EU defence integration. While von der Leyen has been a vocal supporter of this idea, she has also faced criticism for being too focused on European defence at the expense of NATO. Some have argued that her vision for a “European army” could undermine the transatlantic alliance and weaken NATO’s role in Europe.
Despite these criticisms, von der Leyen remains a strong contender for the NATO chief role. Her experience and credentials make her a qualified candidate, and her pro-American attitude and anti-Russian stance align with NATO’s priorities. However, her past controversies and her approach to EU defence integration will need to be carefully considered before any decision is made.