Jens Stoltenberg actually wanted to return to his native Norway in autumn 2022 as head of the central bank there. Actually. But in February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to invade Ukraine.

Exactly one month after the start of the war of aggression, Stoltenberg extended his term as NATO Secretary General by another year – until September 30, 2023; his mandate has been extended three times since 2014.

But then it should really be over. "He has no intention of seeking another mandate extension," said his spokeswoman Oana Lungescu.

Although there are still a few months until then, it is already clear: a successor must be found quickly - simply because of the Ukraine war. The media is already wildly speculating about names.

"The race for Stoltenberg's successor has already begun," says Dr. Stefanie Babst the star. She probably knows NATO better than almost anyone else.

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