Von der Leyen denies switching to NATO: “Unfounded speculation” | Abroad

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen denies that she plans to move to NATO’s top. A spokesman for the Commission called the reports in certain media “unfounded speculation”.

The British newspaper ‘The Sun’ reported that the former German defense minister was a candidate to succeed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. His term of office was recently extended due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, but will expire at the end of September. Stoltenberg rejected reports in February about a possible further extension of his term. The Norwegian has led the alliance since the end of 2014.

Normally, behind the scenes, the 30 member states of the alliance reach a consensus on who will be in charge. The military commander-in-chief is usually an American, the secretary general is normally from one of the other member states.

ttn-3