Ursula von der Leyen's spokesperson said she was “not fit for the job” in managing NATO. Photo: Javier Soriano/AFP via Getty Images
Joe Biden pushes for Ursula von der Leyen to be named NATO's next Secretary General after Ben Wallace's candidacy was blocked, reports The Telegraph.
The President of the European Commission was said to be the preferred candidate of the United States after the White House denied the Secretary of Defense in this role.
On Tuesday, NATO allies agreed to a one-year extension for Jens Stoltenberg, who is Secretary General from October 2014 to autumn 2024.
NATO leaders had hoped to agree on a successor to Mr. Stoltenberg at their annual summit in Vilnius, Lithuania next week, but could not agree on a candidate.
A NATO source said the US president tried to convince Mrs. von der Leyen, the former German defense minister, to replace Mr. Stoltenberg amid fears that a suitable candidate will not appear in the next 12 months.
“We will have problems next year when it becomes clear that the field is no stronger than this year,” said the second source.
Mr Biden and Ms von der Leyen have forged a “strong bond” in recent years, strengthening close transatlantic ties over China, Ukraine and the climate, another source said.
Ben Wallace is said to have been the favorite of a number of NATO member states. Credit: Reuters/Anna Gordon
She is now said to have “relied on Washington intelligence” to move away from the information given to her by European agencies. which misjudged Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Fluent in French, she would likely have enlisted the support of Emmanuel Macron, who opposed Wallace's candidacy.
Meanwhile, Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor and Ms von der Leyen's former political rival, would like her to step out of the picture to keep her high-ranking post in the EU.
However, they may concerns about her recent mistreatment of the German Defense Ministry, which she led from 2013 to 2019.
In 2015, it was reported that German soldiers had to replace their heavy machine guns. with brooms during NATO exercises to hide the lack of equipment.
The President of the European Commission has previously said that he is honored to be included in the list of potential successors. However, her spokesperson said she was “not suited for the job, whether now or in the future.”
In private conversations, Ms von der Leyen reportedly told Mr Biden that she cannot take responsibility. any role in NATO until at least next year.
White House strategists see a window opening to poach her after next year's European elections.
NATO expansion since 1997
Ms von der Leyen is expected to become the favorite among EU leaders to retain her role as top ranking bloc official in charge of the Commission.
However, there are doubts whether she can also win the support of the European Parliament, as right-wing MEPs opposed to her green policy are going to form an alliance.
“This brings NATO a job in discussions of other top positions in Europe” , the source said.
Last week, Mr. Stoltenberg said he was “not seeking an extension” as he had already postponed his departure to ensure the stability of the alliance amid the crisis. Russian invasion of Ukraine.
He will remain in office until October 2024, which means that by the time he is due to retire, he will have served as NATO Secretary General for ten years.
The official procedure for appointing a senior official there is no military alliance. . Its 31 member states must discuss potential candidates until a consensus is reached.
Mr Wallace dropped out of the race to replace Mr Stoltenberg last month after his candidacy was opposed the White House and France, which wants a leader from the European Union for this role, spoke out.
Wallace's support for Ukraine is a problem
The defense minister is said to have been the favorite of a number of NATO member states, but there has been considerable tension between Washington, the de facto leader of the alliance, over its unprecedented support for Ukraine.
In its military support for Kiev, including in terms of tanks and long-range cruise missiles, he often went further than the US.
Other NATO allies favored a prime minister or head of state to replace Mr. Stoltenberg, while others all still pushing for a woman.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emerged as a potential candidate for the role after recently meeting with Mr. Biden at the White House.
However, she ruled herself out of the controversy when member states raised concerns about the possibility of having a third consecutive Scandinavian leader of NATO.
Turkey also had to oppose the Danish Prime Minister after copies of the Quran and Turkish flags were set on fire in Copenhagen last week .
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