German officer defeats Gen. Jennie Carignan for top NATO spot

NATO has selected a German general over Canada’s defence chief for the alliance’s top military role.

Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen. Jennie Carignan, and Germany’s defence chief, Gen. Carsten Breuer were both being considered for the position of chair of NATO’s military committee or CMC . Defence chiefs of the alliance’s nations held a secret vote Saturday and selected Breuer.

The CMC election came as NATO has been trying to deal with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and rapid changes in warfare, including widespread use of drones. It also came at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump has continually threatened to reduce U.S. support for the alliance.

The Ottawa Citizen’s best journalism, delivered directly to your inbox by 7 p.m. on weekdays.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The chair of the military committee is the senior spokesperson for the 32-nation NATO and the main advisor to its secretary general.

Carignan issued a statement Saturday congratulating Breuer, adding it had been an honour to be a candidate for the CMC job. “There is important work ahead for our alliance, and I know General Breuer will bring strong leadership to his role,” Carignan said.

Both Carignan and Breuer have impressive military records with multiple deployments.

Breuer has NATO headquarters experience having served as the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation Representative in Europe. Breuer is also seen as being instrumental in pushing Germany’s historic modernization and rearmament program as well as being a leading voice for raising support for NATO’s strategy following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Carignan is credited with being a significant force behind the reforms aimed at culture change in the Canadian Forces. She was named chief of the defence staff in the summer of 2024, becoming the first woman to take on that role.