Mark Rutte and Viktor Orbán are not the best of friends.

While Rutte received swift endorsements from various European leaders including President Joe Biden, President Emmanuel Macron, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Orbán’s objection threatens Rutte’s potential appointment as the successor to Jens Stoltenberg at the helm of NATO.

Initially, it seemed likely that Rutte, the outgoing Dutch Prime Minister, would seamlessly assume the role.

However, objections arose from Central European countries, particularly those on NATO’s eastern flank, following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

These nations advocated for a candidate from their region, arguing that they had better understood Vladimir Putin’s intentions. Consequently, Romania nominated President Klaus Iohannis as a rival candidate.

Despite Romania’s nomination, the odds are not in Iohannis’s favor, as the major NATO players have not thrown their support behind him. However, Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian Prime Minister, now threatens to block Rutte’s candidacy.

Unanimous support is required for the appointment of a Secretary-General, making Orbán’s stance significant. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, a close ally of Orbán, stated, “We cannot support the appointment of a Secretary-General who sought to bring Hungary to its knees in the past. That would be surprising from our side.”

Szijjarto’s reference likely alludes to Rutte’s condemnation in 2021 following Hungary’s approval of an ‘anti-LGBT law,’ which aims to “protect” individuals under the age of eighteen.

Rutte’s response was unequivocal: “For me, they then have no place in the EU,” he remarked when questioned about the consequences if Hungary did not alter its policy.

Despite the resistance, Rutte appears resolute, given the broad support he enjoys.

However, if Romania persists in advocating for Iohannis’s candidacy and Hungary remains steadfast, NATO nations may be compelled to seek a third nominee.

Previously, the names of Kaja Kallas, the Prime Minister of Estonia, and Krisjanis Karins, former Prime Minister of Latvia and current Foreign Minister, were circulated.

However, Germany and France view the selection of a “hardliner” towards Russia as too risky, believing that a balance must eventually be sought with Russia. Consequently, they turned to Rutte as a viable option.

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