Hungary Opposed to Rutte Becoming Head of NATO

Hungary has openly declared its opposition to Mark Rutte, the outgoing Prime Minister of the Netherlands, becoming NATO's next secretary-general. The announcement was made by Hungary's Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, during a press conference, marking a significant divergence from the support Rutte has garnered from NATO's most influential members.

Rutte's candidacy, despite enjoying backing from heavyweights including the United States, now faces an uncertain future with Budapest's resistance adding to the existing hesitancy among a third of the alliance's 31 member countries. The contention stems from long-standing frictions, notably Amterdam’s accusations of democratic backsliding in Hungary, which have escalated tensions between the two nations.
The historical context of this discord traces back to various instances, including Hungary's Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, expressing confusion in 2020 over Rutte's personal animosity towards him and Hungary. The situation intensified in 2021 during a summit where the Dutch PM criticized Hungary over an anti-LGBT law, stating, "Hungary must respect fundamental rights or leave." Rutte added that “My goal is to bring Hungary to its knees on this issue.”

Referencing these past encounters, Szijjártó emphasized, "We certainly can’t support the election of a person to the position of NATO’s secretary general, who previously wanted to force Hungary on its knees."
This declaration comes as Orbán is scheduled for a meeting with Donald Trump in the US, suggesting a nuanced diplomatic landscape, especially with London, Paris, and Berlin pledging support for Rutte.
However, skepticism isn't solely a Hungarian sentiment. Eastern flank countries, particularly close to the Russian border, and other nations expressed reservations about Rutte's candidacy for varying reasons, including his stance on defense spending and the Schengen zone accession for countries like Romania. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis told allies in February that he had decided to challenge Rutte.

Strained ties
Hungary's delayed ratification of Sweden’s NATO accession bid highlighted its increasingly strained relationship with the alliance. The holdup, attributed to Swedish criticism of Hungary's democratic processes, underscored the unanimity requirement of NATO's admission process, challenging the alliance's cohesion.
After prolonged diplomatic efforts, Hungary's recent approval of Sweden's bid marks a pivotal step towards mending fences, underscoring Orbán's sentiment, "To be a member of NATO together with another country means we are ready to die for each other."
As NATO navigates these complex diplomatic waters, the alliance's unity and the outcome of Rutte's candidacy remain closely watched topics on the global stage, reflecting the intricate balance of international relations and mutual defense commitments.