US President Donald Trump has pushed former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to run for UN secretary-general, according to a report citing sources from three countries.
US officials reportedly approached Orban with the proposal and encouraged him to enter the race. Although he has expressed interest, he has not yet made a final decision on whether to run.
According to the report, Washington believes, based on previous discussions, that Russia and China would also support Orban, which could make him a joint candidate supported by the three powers.
Officials from the United States and another country have said that when Washington, Moscow and Beijing agree on an outcome at the Security Council, they can usually achieve it.
A U.S. State Department official acknowledged that the proposal initially seemed far-fetched, but maintained that Orban could gain substantial support in the Council.
The official estimated that eight of the 15 members of the Security Council would “easily” support his candidacy, with the possibility of obtaining up to 10 votes.
However, the report does not cite any public commitment from countries to support Orban.
A key question is how the United Kingdom and France, both permanent members of the Security Council with veto power, would respond.
The report suggests the two countries could refrain from blocking a candidate supported by the majority of the council and the three other permanent members. However, neither London nor Paris have been cited as having taken an official position.
From “someone like Orban” to direct outreach
According to the report, Orban’s name came up several times during discussions among U.S. officials about their preferred candidate for the next U.N. secretary-general.
U.S. officials reportedly said they were looking for “someone like Orban,” a suggestion that their Chinese and Russian counterparts agreed with. Washington then began to consider whether to address Orban directly.
U.S. officials then contacted Orban to gauge his interest in the position. According to the report, he was receptive to the proposal but expressed reservations linked to his identity as a nationalist politician.
Orban was also reportedly reluctant to announce his candidacy unless he was sure he could win. He declined to comment on the report.
A State Department official described Orban as the “dream candidate of MAGA conservatives,” citing his opposition to large-scale immigration, liberal nongovernmental organizations, and established power centers within Hungary’s judiciary and media.
During his tenure, Orban repeatedly clashed with the European Union while cultivating closer ties with China.
Trump supported Orban in Hungary’s April elections, while Vice President JD Vance also campaigned on his behalf.
According to another source close to the initiative, Trump and Vance are expected to support Orban in the race for UN secretary general if he decides to run.
The source said any potential announcement would be delayed until after the US midterm elections.
Orban’s potential candidacy could spark controversy
An official from another country said the current field of candidates consists largely of figures with experience in international bureaucracy or behind-the-scenes diplomacy.
Orban, on the other hand, would bring the approach of a political leader accustomed to wielding power, the official said.
The U.S. official echoed that assessment, saying Orban had the right ideological perspective, knew how to handle opposition and would not be intimidated by the U.N. establishment.
However, the report also raises concerns that Orban’s appointment could turn the UN secretary-general into a defender of Russian President Vladimir Putin and other authoritarian leaders.
His ties to Moscow and Beijing, as well as controversies surrounding his policies in Hungary, are likely to come under scrutiny if he enters the race.
Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh gains momentum in UN leadership race
Among the other candidates is Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh, who entered the running last week and whose candidacy is reportedly gaining momentum.
Nusseibeh is expected to answer questions on Tuesday, ahead of another Security Council “straw poll” scheduled for Wednesday, which will also gauge support for his candidacy.
The informal vote aims to gauge support for different candidates as Security Council members work to reach consensus on a candidate.
It remains unclear whether Orban’s name will be included in Wednesday’s vote, and other candidates could still enter the race.
The mandate of the current UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, ends on December 31.
For now, efforts to advance Orban’s candidacy remain based on discussions and assessments provided by the sources cited in the report. There has been no official announcement of his candidacy or public confirmation of support from the three powers.
Gn world
