Yeah me too. And that's completely unrelated to the fact it's about Rutte in this case. I don't see Hungary coming up with a better alternative. But, in these times, whether it's NATO or EU, there's no time to waste. He wasted the time of the Sweden, the entire EU, Ukraine, and now the civilized world. Stoltenberg's term ends later this year, NATO wants to replace him so the new guy/woman is already in place for if/when the situation escalates further.
From the second article in my post above: "In race for top EU, NATO jobs, Eastern Europe asks: ‘Are we equals or not?’ "
The honest answer is 'not'. Per citizen sure, of course, but effectively in these matters, no, of course not. That's the EU goal of expanding the EU eastward, to make them equals, to lift them to our level after being held back by soviet union (and themselves...). Personally I would not at all oppose someone from east Europe getting the position, IF qualified, I don't know that many potential candidates that well. I do need to see far better arguments than this:
“What moral credibility does this guy [Rutte] have?” said former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, pointing to the Netherland’s failure to meet its NATO commitment to spend 2 percent of GDP on defense during Rutte’s 13 years as prime minister.
It's true, we prefer to spend money on things like healthcare, education, and climate... or on making east Europe equals while improving their air quality. Estonia gets more from EU than they spend on military... paid for by NL, Germany and France, per capita in that order.
GDP NL: over 1 trillion, 1.96% to defense. GDP Estonia: over 38billion 2.09% to defense
Aside from the fact we're one of the largest sponsors of Ukraine... who are fighting the enemy posing a threat to Estonia. And Rutte being a major force in EU pushing others to do more.
Suggesting that difference in % implies any measurement of or even a low 'moral credibility' of 'this guy' Rutte, and the idea that some kindergarten level idea of "it's our turn now" weighs heavily in these matters is exactly the things why people in the west would be reluctant with some east european president. The tone, the poor argument, the misuse of moral judgement, untactful, unprofessional. Exactly why even though Rutte's politics aren't mine anymore, I'd much prefer him cause he's the extreme opposite of that.