Rutte is the leading candidate for the job, which does not have a formal application process, to replace Jens Stoltenberg whose term ends in October

Media reports suggest more than 20 Allies back Rutte for the role, including the USA, Germany, the UK, and France. Eastern flank countries appear to be more skeptical.

Estonia has not yet formed a position.

"Consultations between the Allies on the choice of a new secretary general are still ongoing. It is a decision that requires consensus, it cannot be taken lightly or hastily, and will therefore take time to reach. Estonia aims to have a decision on the appointment of a new secretary general by the time of the Washington Summit this summer," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told ERR.

NATO members want to agree on the new chief by this year's summit in Washington.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform) and Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins have previously expressed interest in the role. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis also announced he is also considering it on Thursday.

Rutte has been prime minister of the Netherlands since 2010. During that time the country's defense spending has never hit the 2 percent of GDP target agreed by Allies.

Defense minister: Rutte is a very strong candidate

While Estonia's official position is undecided, Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur (Reform) said Rutte is a "very strong candidate".

"But the truth is that Mark Rutte is a strong candidate. But by now some candidates have come forward, so let's see. It has been heard that the president of Romania would like to run. It's true that big countries have shown support for Rutte, but let's let it settle and let's see. In the end, the NATO Secretary General still needs the support of all NATO countries," the minister told Friday's "Aktuaalne kaamera".

Pevkur added that Estonia believes the new NATO chief should meet three criteria: defense spending in their country should reach at least 2 percent of GDP; they should be a former head of state; and thirdly – and crucially for Estonia – their attitude towards supporting Ukraine.

The minister noted The Netherlands has promised it will hit the 2 percent goal soon.

Pevkur said Estonia cooperates well with the Netherlands and its outlook towards the EU and NATO is very similar, but it still wants to consider the decision.

Kunnas: Why is there no candidate from Poland?

MP Leo Kunnas (EKRE), vice-chairman of the Riigikogu's National Defense Committee of the Riigikogu, said a good candidate should have made significant achievements in defense policy and also their country should have fulfilled the alliance's defense obligations.

He questioned why Poland, which has a similar outlook on defense as Estonia, does not have a candidate.

"Poland is spending almost 4 percent on defense and is decisively strengthening its defense while at the same time supporting, and has very strongly supported, Ukraine. I think that the NATO secretary general should come from Poland, for example – is there really no suitable politician in Poland, would be my question.," Kunnas said.

ICDS: NATO's unity not as strong as it seems

Kristi Raik, deputy head of the International Center for Defense and Security (ICDS), highlighted Rutte's experience.

"He is likely to be the person who would be able to manage relations with the U.S. should Trump win the next election. But the downside is that the Netherlands' own defense spending is well below the level required by NATO," said Raik.

She said Romania's Iohannis' willingness to put himself forward shows the need to discuss the differences between the eastern and western flanks of the alliance.

"There is a perception among the Western NATO countries that, should the opportunity arise to resume relations with Russia, it would not be useful to have, for example, a representative of the Baltic States or Romania at the head of NATO, as this would exacerbate the conflict between NATO and Russia," Raik told "Aktuaalne kaamera".

She said this clearly shows NATO's unity is not as strong as it could be.

This article was updated to add comments from Hanno Pevkur, Kristi Raik, and Leo Kunnas.

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