WSJ: US proposed that Orbán run for UN secretary-general

The Trump administration has proposed that former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán run for the post of United Nations secretary-general and wants him to become a common candidate backed by the US, Russia and China.

The Wall Street Journal reported this plan in an opinion-section piece published on October 25, citing sources in three countries.

According to the publication, Washington not only supported the idea but was the first to propose it to Orbán; a final decision has not yet been made. The plan envisions nominating for the head of the UN a nationalist and ally of President Donald Trump. Orbán lost power in Hungary in April, and in the race for the seat of António Guterres no candidate has yet emerged who would be accepted by all five veto-wielding powers.

Vote count in the Security Council

A State Department spokesperson acknowledged that at first the idea sounds “crazy,” but said that Russia and China, judging by previous negotiations with Washington, support it. According to Anadolu Agency, the official assessed eight of 15 votes in the Security Council as “solid” for Orbán, and said up to ten more are achievable. A candidate needs at least nine votes and no veto from the permanent members.

This means that Britain or France could still block his candidacy even if Washington, Moscow and Beijing agree, Business Standard notes. Moscow and Beijing have not publicly declared support, Hungarian Conservative writes.

American officials who sounded out Orbán found that he is open to the idea but is cautious and will not run unless he is sure of victory. Orbán himself declined to comment, Anadolu reports. Trump and Vice President JD Vance are expected to support him, but it has been decided to wait to announce until after the US midterm elections on November 3, Rzeczpospolita writes.

The “dream” candidate and his critics

A State Department spokesperson called Orbán the “dream candidate” of MAGA conservatives, citing his actions against mass migration, liberal NGOs, and the left-leaning courts and press in Hungary.

“He would become an apologist for Vladimir Putin and other dictators,” The Wall Street Journal editorial board warned.

According to the publication, the best thing about the idea may be that it “would pull back the curtain: the UN would have a leader as low as the Turtle Bay headquarters itself, which has sunk to the bottom.”

A crowded and uncertain race

Guterres’s term expires on December 31, and his successor must take office on January 1, 2027. Last week Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh entered the race. She is due to be heard and questioned on October 27, and on October 28 the Security Council will hold another straw poll.