NATO deputy secretary-general to resign for Romanian presidential run

Before officially starting his role as NATO Secretary-General, Mark Rutte is already reviewing resumes for his potential deputy.

Current Deputy Secretary-General Mircea Geoană, who has held the position since 2019, is anticipated to resign in order to campaign in the Romanian presidential election this November, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

A senior NATO diplomat from Western Europe noted a prevailing consensus among allies that Rutte's deputy should be from Eastern Europe. The diplomat, like others cited in this report, spoke on condition of anonymity to share internal views.

At NATO headquarters, discussions are focused on two former high-ranking officials from North Macedonia and Bulgaria—both Balkan nations once under Soviet influence until the Cold War's end. "The position is likely to go to an Eastern European woman," former NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu told POLITICO. "This aligns with the broader public push for a female secretary-general instead of Rutte."

Mark Rutte will assume the role of NATO Secretary-General on October 2, as the alliance focuses on strengthening its eastern flank to counter potential Russian aggression. Germany, for example, assesses that Russia might be militarily prepared to attack NATO members within the next five to eight years if it decides to do so.

Given the urgency of this mission, a deep understanding of Kremlin affairs is crucial for Rutte’s choice of deputy. Among the names being considered is Radmila Šekerinska, former Defense Minister of North Macedonia. If selected, Šekerinska would become the highest-ranking NATO official from the Western Balkan region outside the European Union. North Macedonia joined NATO four years ago, with Šekerinska playing a pivotal role in its accession.

Šekerinska, who is currently a vice president of the Party of European Socialists, has been vocal against Russia’s claims regarding NATO’s eastward expansion. In the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she rejected the notion that NATO's expansion was a “sinister Western plan,” arguing that initial NATO members were not keen on enlargement.

Šekerinska has not commented on the speculation regarding her potential appointment. Majda Ruge, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, has endorsed her as a strong candidate for the position.

"For the next deputy secretary-general, NATO will need a senior figure who is highly competent, courageous, smart about Russia, and understands the challenges in the Western Balkans. Radmila Šekerinska fits that profile perfectly," said Majda Ruge, a Balkan region expert.

Another potential candidate is Bulgaria's former Deputy Prime Minister and former European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, according to two officials familiar with her plans. "There are rumors about Mariya Gabriel, the former European Commissioner and Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister," Oana Lungescu added.