With the start of his new mandate as Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte is considering candidates for his replacement, with the choice likely to fall on a woman from Eastern Europe. The main contenders are the former defense minister of North Macedonia, Radmila Shekerinska, and the former deputy prime minister and EU commissioner of Bulgaria, Maria Gabriel. Shekerinska is highly regarded for her expertise on Russia and the Balkans, while Gabriel has experience on the European stage. Both ladies are considered favorites for the post, which is key to strengthening NATO's eastern flank, writes "Politico"
Radmila Shekerinska is a prominent politician from North Macedonia with a long and successful career. She was born on June 10, 1972 and graduated with a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of "St. Cyril and Methodius" in Skopje. Additionally, she studied at Harvard University, where she received a Fulbright scholarship. and graduated with a master's degree in public administration.
Shekerinska began her political career in the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) in 1995 and quickly established herself as one of the party's leading figures. She was elected as a member of the Macedonian Parliament, where she serves as the deputy chairman of the parliamentary group of the SDSM.
During the period 2002-2006, Shekerinska was the Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia, responsible for European integration. It plays a decisive role in the process of integration of North Macedonia into NATO, which leads to the country's successful membership in the alliance in 2020.
As Minister of Defense in the period 2017-2021, Shekerinska is recognized for her determination and competence, especially in the context of complex relations with neighboring countries and security challenges in the Western Balkans region. Under her leadership, North Macedonia carried out important military reforms and participated actively in allied NATO missions.
Besides her political achievements, Shekerinska is also distinguished by her commitment to women's rights and democratic reforms. She is an active voice for the country's pro-Western orientation and integration with the European Union, upholding values such as transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
Her candidacy for Deputy Secretary General of NATO would represent an important symbolic move, making Shekerinska the highest-ranking representative of the Western Balkans in this international organization.
The other contender, as we have already reported, is former Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and former European Commissioner Maria Gabriel, according to two officials who are directly familiar with her plans, writes "Politico".
The delegations of Bulgaria and North Macedonia in NATO have not commented on the applications. NATO declined to comment.
However, both countries are plagued by corruption concerns.
According to Transparency International, Bulgaria ranks 67th in the world according to the corruption index. North Macedonia is in 76th place.
While the two candidates from the Balkans are considered favorites, there are other proposed candidates who are presenting themselves to Rutte. Former Latvian Prime Minister Krishianis Karins, who was also a candidate for Rutte's post, is in the running to replace him, according to a senior Latvian official who spoke anonymously about his candidacy.
Poland and Turkey - both with substantial military structures - are considering putting forward their own candidates, according to two NATO diplomats. However, Poland is hampered by infighting between President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk.