Radmila Shekerinska is among the shortlisted candidates for the position of Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Politico writes. According to this media, the former deputy prime minister in our government is in a race for this position with a former official from Bulgaria.

Before starting his new mandate as head of NATO, Mark Rutte is already reviewing the biographies of those who want to be his right-hand man. Among them is the name of the former Minister of Defense of Macedonia, Radmila Sekerinska.

"Perhaps the post will go to a woman from Eastern Europe," former NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu told Politico.

A senior NATO diplomat from Western Europe says there is a general consensus among allies that an Eastern European should be appointed as Rutte's deputy. The diplomat, like other NATO diplomats quoted in this story, as Politika writes, is speaking anonymously to "share the inner feeling". The conversation at NATO headquarters focuses on two former officials from North Macedonia and Bulgaria.

Rutte will take the helm of NATO on October 2, as the military alliance moves towards an urgent mission to shore up the Eastern Flank in order to prevent any potential Russian aggression. Germany, for example, estimates that Russia could be ready to militarily attack NATO countries in five to eight years if it chooses to do so.

The name of the former defense minister of Macedonia, Radmila Shekerinska, is widespread, according to a diplomat and senior NATO official. If elected, she will be the highest-ranking NATO official ever from the Western Balkans region outside the European Union. The country joined NATO four years ago, and Shekerinska played a key role in its membership.

The pro-Western oriented Šekerinska is currently the vice-president of the Party of European Socialists of Europe. In an interview after the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, she rejected Russia's claim that NATO's eastward expansion was an "evil plan of the West."

- On the contrary, initially the major NATO members had no particular appetite for expansion - she said.

Majda Ruge, senior political associate at the European Council on Foreign Relations, praised the Macedonian politician as an ideal candidate.

– The next Deputy Secretary General of NATO will need a senior person who is highly competent, has courage, is smart about Russia and also understands the challenges in the Western Balkans. Radmila Šekerinska fits perfectly into that profile - said Ruge, an expert on the Balkan region.

Another candidate is the former Deputy Prime Minister and former European Commissioner from Bulgaria, Maria Gabriel.

- There are rumors about former European Commissioner and Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Maria Gabriel - Lungescu said.

The Bulgarian and Macedonian delegations in NATO did not comment on the candidacies.

Bulgaria is in the spotlight because of the close ties of its political elites to Russia. In April, outgoing Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov warned in an interview with Politico that "Russia will doè as possible to regain its strong influence in Bulgaria". Sofia has also been making deals to strengthen Moscow's role as Southeast Europe's dominant energy supplier, despite the country's rhetorical support for Ukraine. For both countries, however, there are concerns over corruption. According to Transparency International, Bulgaria is ranked 67th in the world according to its Corruption Perceptions Index. Macedonia, on the other hand, is ranked 76th.

While the two Balkan candidates are considered frontrunners, there are other proposed candidates being offered to Rutte. Former Latvian Prime Minister Krishjanis Karis, who once wanted Rutte's job, is vying to be his deputy.

According to two NATO diplomats, Poland and Turkey – both with serious military capabilities – are considering offering their own candidates. However, Poland is burdened by infighting between President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

According to Lungescu, the role of Deputy Secretary General has gained increasing importance over the last decade. The incumbent's primary role is to preside over bi-weekly meetings of the 32 ambassadors in the North Atlantic Council or any emergency meeting, including the NATO-Ukraine Council.