Inside the secret race to become NATO’s next top general

In a crucial vote set to take place on Saturday, NATO’s 32 chief defense staff will elect a new chair for the alliance’s most senior military body, the military committee. The two candidates in contention are Germany’s General Carsten Breuer and Canada’s General Jennie Carignan.

NATO is currently in a decisive moment, grappling with a large conventional war raging in Europe and the need to transform itself into a more robust and European-focused alliance. The military committee, led by the chair, plays a pivotal role in providing honest military advice to allies, assessing the feasibility and financing of operations, and brokering consensus on military strategy.

This high-stakes role requires the chair to maintain trust among both military and political leaders, especially in light of enduring transatlantic tensions.

General Breuer, Berlin’s leading defense spender, is considered the frontrunner for the position. The U.S. has reportedly encouraged Germany to take a leadership role in the alliance, seeking to lessen its military presence on the continent. Meanwhile, General Carignan, Canada’s top general since 2024, has focused her campaign on revitalizing the military committee’s role and promoting transatlantic unity within NATO.

The election process itself is shrouded in secrecy, with a blind vote that stops once a majority — 17 votes — is reached. This ensures that the loyalty of the military group remains intact, as knowing who voted for whom would undermine the trust necessary for effective decision-making. Despite this secrecy, both candidates have been actively lobbying their counterparts through various channels, including letters, meetings, and phone calls, to secure their support.

The next chair of the military committee is set to assume office in July, following the current incumbent, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone of Italy.