NATO Chiefs race heats up, but no clear front-runner

 The race to replace NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is heating up, but there is no clear front-runner yet.

Stoltenberg is expected to step down in September, and NATO leaders are eager to name a successor as soon as possible. The alliance is facing a number of challenges, including the war in Ukraine and the threat from Russia.

A number of names have been floated for the job, including:

• Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark
• Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia
• Ben Wallace, UK Secretary of Defense

Frederiksen is the youngest prime minister in Danish history, and she is seen as a rising star in the NATO alliance. Kallas is the first woman to be elected Prime Minister of Estonia, and she is known for her tough stance on Russia. Wallace is a respected military officer and politician, and he is seen as a potential compromise candidate.

However, there are also a number of challenges facing each of these candidates. Frederiksen would have to step down as Prime Minister of Denmark if she were to be named NATO Secretary General, which could cause political turmoil in her country. Kallas is seen as too hawkish by some NATO members, and Wallace is seen as too close to the United States by some European countries.

The NATO summit in Lithuania in July is expected to be a key moment in the race for the Secretary General's job. If no clear front-runner emerges, Stoltenberg may be asked to stay on until a new leader can be found.

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