NATO, the usefulness of which has been questioned during the last decade, has again gained special relevance on the international stage due to the current context related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Atlantic alliance became a major player in international relations last year, in which it also showed strength and unity at the summit last summer in Madrid and expanded with the entry of Finland and the upcoming entry of Sweden, according to 20. .minutos .es.

An international context where the organization needs strong leadership in the face of challenges faced by its members. NATO command, currently in the hands of Jens Stoltenberg, will soon be vacated. Many names have been floated for his successor, from Pedro Sánchez to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, but Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen seems to be the favorite.

Mette Frederiksen took an active part in defense policy

Mette Frederiksen has been the Prime Minister of Denmark since 2019. In December 2022, Frederiksen of the Danish Social Democratic Party formed a new coalition government with moderates and liberals after leading a left-wing coalition during her first term.

Before becoming prime minister, Frederiksen was part of the executive branch as Minister of Labor (2011-2014) and Minister of Justice (2014-2015) in Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt’s cabinet, which also led her to party president. She has been a member of parliament since 2001 and studied administration and social sciences at Aalborg University.

While working in the government, Mette Frederiksen was actively involved in defense policy. One of his first acts in executive power was to increase defense spending and facilitate Denmark’s entry into the European Union’s common defense policy just a year ago, breaking the Danish clause that had kept the country out of the military community’s programs for 30 years.

A clear pro-European profile, involved in common defense, who could succeed Stoltenberg as NATO Secretary General. The Nordic countries, which are gaining international importance, will have their third consecutive Secretary General after Stoltenberg (Norwegian) and Anders Fogh Rasmussen (also Dane).

Frederiksen could also become the first woman to hold the position and lead the Atlantic alliance in its 71-year history. Currently, all polls point to her as the favorite. (joyful)