US Favors Ursula von der Leyen as Next NATO Secretary General
Biden and von der Leyen have reportedly developed a strong rapport in recent years, particularly regarding shared concerns such as China, Ukraine, and climate change, as stated by NATO officials cited by the British outlet.
Sources mentioned in the report suggest that the White House appreciates von der Leyen's recent inclination to rely on US intelligence rather than European agencies, which were deemed inadequate in assessing Russia's military actions in Ukraine.
The article also indicates that von der Leyen's fluency in French could garner support from French President Emmanuel Macron, another influential figure within NATO.
On Tuesday, Jens Stoltenberg, the incumbent Secretary General of NATO, confirmed that his tenure, originally set to end in late September, has been extended for another year. Stoltenberg, a Norwegian, has led the US-led military alliance since 2014, with his term being prolonged four times.
The announcement followed NATO members' failure to agree on a successor for Stoltenberg. Media reports suggest that the candidacy of British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace was blocked last month by the US and France, who allegedly prefer an EU representative for the position.
Earlier this week, The Daily Mail reported that Biden opposed Wallace due to his service as a British soldier during the period of sectarian violence known as "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland. The article cited sources claiming that Biden, who has Irish roots, has reservations about Wallace and isn't particularly pro-British.
While von der Leyen previously expressed disinterest in the NATO role, stating she was honored but not particularly eager, The Telegraph suggests that the US doubts her ability to continue leading the European Commission after the next European Parliament elections.
"It brings the NATO job into the discussions over Europe's other top jobs," remarked one of the sources.
The article highlights a potential obstacle for von der Leyen's appointment as NATO secretary general, citing concerns over her handling of the German Defense Ministry during her tenure from 2013 to 2019. The report recalls a 2015 incident where German soldiers allegedly had to replace heavy machine guns with broomsticks during NATO drills to conceal their lack of equipment.
