The United States is actively encouraging Viktor Orban to run for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, as Portuguese incumbent Antonio Guterres, aged 77, is set to conclude his second term on December 31. Reports indicate that major global powers have yet to reach an agreement on a successor, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
Orban’s name frequently arises in discussions among American officials, who consider him a strong candidate. An unnamed official from the U.S. State Department described Orban as “the ideal conservative candidate in line with the MAGA movement.”
Although several American officials have approached Orban about this potential candidacy and he has shown some interest, he has expressed reservations and has refrained from making public comments on the matter at this time.
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Orban during Hungary’s parliamentary elections in April, where Orban was defeated after 16 years of leadership by conservative Péter Magyar. If Orban decides to pursue the UN position, Trump may support him again, though this would likely not happen until after the midterm elections, according to another source from WSJ.
The midterm elections, scheduled for November 3, are crucial for Trump, as he risks losing majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Internationally, Orban’s candidacy could also be backed by Russia, particularly after he blocked the European Union’s joint policy to assist Ukraine following the Russian invasion, as well as by China.
Potential Vetoes from Britain or France
The State Department official cited believes Orban could potentially secure eight to ten votes in the Security Council, out of a total of 15, but his candidacy depends on the United Kingdom and France, both of which may oppose him through a veto.
In the most recent election at the UN, none of the seven candidates managed to avoid a negative vote from one of the five major powers with veto rights.
In that election, Costa Rican Rebeca Grynspan, aged 70 and head of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), ranked first, followed by Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, 53, a former diplomat from Guyana, and Rafael Grossi, 65, the current Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
A nomination can be submitted at any point during the process. Traditionally, though often not strictly followed, Latin America claims the post this time around.
Many nations are advocating for a woman to lead the UN for the first time.
These elections come at a time when the UN faces one of the most challenging periods in its history, with multilateralism under significant strain from some countries that previously supported it, including the United States.
The UN is also grappling with an increase in global conflicts and severe financial difficulties. The United Nations is widely recognized as the largest and most comprehensive intergovernmental organization in the world, comprising 193 member states, which encompasses nearly all recognized sovereign nations.
