Washington Moves to Position Orban as UN Candidate

US President Donald Trump is advancing former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as a contender for the United Nations Secretary-General role, according to a report citing sources from three nations. American officials have directly approached Orban to encourage him to enter the election. While Orban has expressed interest in the position, he has not made a final decision to run.

The strategy relies on a tripartite alliance between Washington, Moscow, and Beijing. US officials believe that if these three major powers agree on a candidate, they can generally secure the necessary support within the Security Council. This potential joint backing could distinguish Orban from other applicants who typically rely on smaller coalitions or regional groups.

A US State Department official acknowledged that the proposal initially appeared unlikely. However, the official estimated that Orban could attract substantial backing within the council. The assessment suggests that eight of the council's 15 members would easily support him, with the possibility of reaching ten votes. No public commitments from specific countries have been cited to support these numbers.

The stances of the United Kingdom and France remain a central uncertainty. As permanent members with veto power, their positions are critical. The report suggests they might not block a candidate who holds a council majority and the support of the other three permanent members. Neither London nor Paris has taken an official stance on Orban's potential candidacy.

Orban's name emerged repeatedly during US discussions about the desired profile for the next Secretary-General. US officials reportedly sought a figure similar to Orban, a view shared by their Chinese and Russian counterparts. Orban showed receptiveness but voiced reservations tied to his identity as a nationalist politician. He indicated he would be unwilling to announce a bid unless he was confident of winning. He declined to comment on the report.

The State Department official described Orban as the dream candidate for MAGA conservatives. This characterization pointed to his opposition to large-scale immigration, liberal non-governmental organizations, and established centers of power in Hungary's judiciary and media. While in office, Orban clashed repeatedly with the European Union while building closer ties with China. Trump endorsed Orban in Hungary's April elections, and Vice President JD Vance campaigned on his behalf.

Another source familiar with the initiative said Trump and Vance are expected to back Orban if he runs. Any public announcement would reportedly wait until after the US midterm elections. An official from another country noted that the current field consists mostly of international bureaucrats or diplomats. Orban would instead bring the approach of a political leader accustomed to wielding power.

The US official agreed that Orban possesses the right ideological outlook and knows how to handle opposition. The official added that Orban would not be intimidated by the UN establishment. The report also raised concerns that his appointment could turn the post into a defender of Russian President Vladimir Putin and other authoritarian leaders. His ties to Moscow and Beijing, along with his record in Hungary, would likely face scrutiny.

Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh is among the declared candidates. She entered the race last week and is reportedly gaining momentum. She is expected to answer questions on Tuesday, ahead of a Security Council straw poll scheduled for Wednesday. The informal vote is meant to gauge support as members work toward consensus on a nominee. It is unclear whether Orban's name will appear on the ballot, and more candidates could still enter the race.

The term of current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ends on December 31. For now, the push for Orban rests on discussions and assessments from sources cited in the report. There has been no official announcement of a candidacy and no public confirmation that the three powers would support him.