NATO countries renew Stoltenberg's mandate

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg has announced that he will remain at the head of the alliance until October 1, 2024. The alliance had already extended his mandate several times. The last time was in March 2022, after the start of the Russian special operation in Ukraine.

Jens Stoltenberg's term as NATO Secretary General has been extended for another year, until October 1, 2024. This was announced by Stoltenberg himself on Twitter. He wrote:

"I am honored to accept the decision of NATO allies to extend my term as Secretary General until October 1, 2024."

At the same time, Stoltenberg stressed that "the transatlantic connection between Europe and North America has ensured our freedom and security for almost 75 years." In today's "more dangerous world", the North Atlantic Alliance is more important than ever, according to the Secretary-General.

Stoltenberg was appointed NATO Secretary General and Chairman of the Alliance Council in March 2014 and took office in October of the same year. His term was originally due to expire in 2018, but has since been extended twice for two years each. Before becoming general secretary of the alliance, Stoltenberg was Prime Minister of Norway (2000–2001 and 2005–2013), Minister of Finance, Minister of Trade and Industry, and chairman of the country's Workers' Party.

After the start of the Russian special operation in Ukraine in 2022, NATO countries were also reluctant to change at the top of the bloc, and Stoltenberg's mandate was extended for another year. In early February 2022, Stoltenberg decided to appoint the head of the Norwegian Central Bank.

In February 2023, a NATO spokeswoman claimed that Stoltenberg would soon no longer be at the helm of the organization. At the same time, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he sees himself as a candidate for the post. When asked about his prospects for leading the alliance, Johnson claimed:

"That's a great idea. I must announce that there is such an idea. (...) I'm considering myself as a candidate. This is a very good position, an important position. NATO is now stronger than ever."

On June 19, 2023, Stoltenberg said he wanted to end his term as head of the alliance by the fall, he had no other plans. Later, at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, he announced:

"I have no plans to extend my mandate. My personal plans are to fulfill my mandate by the fall, I have no other plans."

However, the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang reported on June 28 that all NATO member states had spoken out in favor of asking Stoltenberg to continue as NATO chief.

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