For the first time in NATO history, a woman can become the Secretary-General of the Alliance, replacing Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg in October 2022. As the Spanish newspaper El Pais reported on Wednesday, citing diplomatic sources, the new secretary-general will be elected at the NATO summit, which is expected to take place next spring in Madrid.
Kyiv. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – August 11, 2021 – Forums and Conferences
According to the publication, there is a broad consensus within the organization that Stoltenberg should be replaced by a woman. Negotiations to find a future NATO secretary-general will begin in the autumn, but the names of the prospective candidates are already being heard in various member countries. “There is a general belief that the time has come for a woman to lead NATO,” El Pais was quoted as saying by diplomatic sources.
According to the publication, among the possible candidates for the post of Secretary-General of the Alliance – the former British Prime Minister Theresa May, former EU Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini, German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. Probable contenders are also Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid, and Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.
Jens Stoltenberg has been NATO Secretary-General since October 1, 2014. This year, for the last time, the NATO Council extended his contract for one year. The election of a new Secretary-General usually takes place in NATO through closed consultations between the leading countries of the alliance, where the decisive word remains with the United States. This appointment is then formally approved by the North Atlantic Council.
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Source: Ukrgate
