NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has broken free from a one-year extension to the term of office of the pinnacle of the 31-member bloc grappling with a raging war in Ukraine.
Stoltenberg has been on the helm of probably the most powerful military alliance on the planet since 2014. The extension from NATO is the fourth he has received.
His term was last extended in March 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. NATO earlier this year the spokesman said Stoltenberg was not enthusiastic about a fourth.
But NATO members appear to be at odds together with his potential successor.
![NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013010488.jpg?w=1024)
Potential candidates to switch him, similar to Britain’s Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, appear to have burned out and lack adequate support.
The White House has supposedly he moved to thwart Wallace’s candidacy for the post of head of NATO, much to his surprise dismay of the British tabloidswho felt disrespected.
President Biden advocates European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to switch Stoltenberg, The Telegraph reported.
Thus far, Leyen appears to be leading the arduous search for a successor to Stoltenberg, who was previously Prime Minister of Norway.
![President Biden](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013593056.jpg?w=1024)
Biden praised Stoltenberg after his extension.
“Along with his continued leadership, experience and judgment, Secretary General Stoltenberg has guided our alliance through a very powerful challenges to European security since World War II,” Biden said in a statement. “Today our alliance is stronger, more united and purposeful than ever before.”
Other world leaders also issued congratulations, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose nation is not a part of NATO but allies with the alliance.
“I congratulated him on the choice of the Allies to increase his mandate as secretary-general for one other year. I hope that our cooperation will probably be fruitful in the long run,” Zelensky wrote on Twitter.
Once extended, Stoltenberg’s term will proceed to rule as NATO chief until not less than October 1, 2024.
His extended term ensures continuity as NATO looks at the most important hot war on the point of World War II.
Nevertheless it also highlights the dearth of consensus throughout the alliance over who should replace him.
Stoltenberg expressed gratitude for the extension and praised the powerful block.
“The transatlantic link between Europe and North America has kept us free and secure for almost 75 years, and in a more dangerous world our Alliance is more necessary than ever,” he said.
Next week, NATO is to convene a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.
![President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013537586.jpg?w=1024)
Leyen, a centre-right politician from Germany, is the primary female president of the European Commission.
Had she run for secretary general, she would have develop into the primary female head of NATO.
![A Ukrainian soldier of the 3rd Assault Brigade fires a 122mm mortar at Russian forces](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013524304.jpg?w=1024)
Nonetheless, Leyen had previously expressed disinterest within the distinguished role.
“I’m definitely lower than it,” she said he said german broadcaster. “I believe NATO is great and if it didn’t exist, it might must be created. I actually, really enjoyed working for NATO as Minister of Defense, but I’m definitely not suited for this position. My place is in Europe.”