Viktor Orban as the head of the UN? He's backed by three major forces: 'He's a dream candidate'

Donald Trump’s administration is actively promoting former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as its preferred candidate for the next United Nations Secretary-General, according to a report citing sources from three countries. American officials have reportedly contacted Orbán directly to encourage him to enter the race. While Orbán has expressed interest in the role, he has not yet made a final decision on whether to formally submit his candidacy. The initiative appears designed to create a unified front among the United States, Russia, and China, three of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council who hold veto power. The push for Orbán began during internal discussions among US government officials regarding their ideal successor to current Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term expires on December 31. During these talks, Orbán’s name surfaced repeatedly. US officials stated they were looking for “someone like Orbán,” a description with which their Russian and Chinese counterparts reportedly agreed. Following this alignment, Washington moved to explore the possibility of direct contact with the Hungarian politician. A US State Department official admitted that the proposal initially seemed difficult to achieve but argued that Orbán could secure substantial backing within the Security Council. That official estimated that at least eight of the council’s 15 member states would easily support his candidacy, with the potential to gather as many as ten votes. However, the report noted that no country had publicly committed to supporting Orbán. Orbán reacted positively to the overture but indicated reservations tied to his political identity as a nationalist. He reportedly does not wish to announce his candidacy until he is confident he can win. When asked to comment on the report, Orbán declined to address the allegations. A senior US State Department official described Orbán as the “dream candidate” for conservatives aligned with the Make America Great Again movement. This assessment highlighted his opposition to mass migration, his stance against liberal non-governmental organizations, and his challenges to established centers of power within the Hungarian judiciary and media. The strategic calculation behind the move relies on the ability of Washington, Moscow, and Beijing to shape outcomes in the Security Council when they act in concert. Officials from the US and another nation stated that when these three powers agree on a result, they can generally secure it. This dynamic creates a specific hurdle involving the other two permanent members with veto rights: France and the United Kingdom. Neither London nor Paris has taken an official position on Orbán. The report suggests that these two European capitals might choose not to block a candidate who enjoys the support of a majority of the council alongside the other three permanent members. Orbán’s profile differs significantly from other contenders in the current selection process. Most candidates currently in the running possess extensive experience in international bureaucracy or behind-the-scenes diplomacy. In contrast, Orbán brings the approach of a political leader accustomed to direct governance. One official from another country noted that while current candidates are largely diplomats, Orbán would bring a style of leadership focused on executing authority. A US official echoed this view, stating that Orbán holds appropriate ideological positions, knows how to manage opponents, and would not be intimidated by the UN establishment. Despite the administrative enthusiasm, concerns have been raised about the implications of such an appointment. There are fears that appointing Orbán could transform the UN Secretary-General into an advocate for Russian President Vladimir Putin and other authoritarian leaders. His close ties to Moscow and Beijing, along with controversies surrounding his domestic policies in Hungary, would likely face intense scrutiny if he enters the race. During his tenure as prime minister, Orbán frequently clashed with the European Union while simultaneously cultivating closer relations with China. The political landscape surrounding this potential bid includes recent electoral history. Trump supported Orbán during the Hungarian parliamentary elections held in April, and US Vice President JD Vance participated in the campaign on Orbán’s behalf. Sources familiar with the initiative indicate that both Trump and Vance are prepared to support Orbán’s bid for the UN top job, provided he decides to run. Any formal announcement of his candidacy is expected to wait until after the upcoming midterm elections in the United States. The selection process continues to unfold with procedural steps already underway. Members of the Security Council are scheduled to hold an informal vote to gauge the level of support for individual candidates. It remains unclear whether Orbán will be included in this round of consultations. Among the active candidates is Lana Nusseibeh, a diplomat from the United Arab Emirates, who announced her candidacy last week and is reportedly gaining increasing support. The current Secretary-General, António Guterres, will see his mandate conclude at the end of the year, setting the stage for a transition that involves complex diplomatic negotiations among major global powers.