US President Donald Trump is pushing former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban as a candidate 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 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 back Orban, potentially making him a joint candidate supported by all three powers.
Officials from the US and another country said that when Washington, Moscow, and Beijing agree on an outcome at the Security Council, they can generally secure it.
A US State Department official acknowledged that the proposal initially seemed far-fetched but maintained that Orban could garner substantial support on the council.
The official estimated that eight of the Security Council’s 15 members would “easily” back his candidacy, with the possibility of securing as many as 10 votes.
However, the report did not cite any public commitments from countries to support Orban.
A key question is how the UK and France, both permanent Security Council members with veto power, would respond.
The report suggested that the two countries might refrain from blocking a candidate backed by a majority of the council and the other three permanent members. However, neither London nor Paris was cited as having taken an official position.
From ‘someone like Orban’ to direct outreach
According to the report, Orban’s name repeatedly surfaced during discussions among US officials about their preferred candidate for the next UN secretary-general.
American officials reportedly said they were looking for “someone like Orban,” a suggestion their Chinese and Russian counterparts agreed with. Washington subsequently began considering whether to approach Orban directly.
US officials then contacted Orban to gauge his interest in the position. According to the report, he was receptive to the proposal but expressed reservations related to his identity as a nationalist politician.
Orban was also reportedly reluctant to announce his candidacy unless he was confident he could win. He declined to comment on the report.
A State Department official described Orban as the “dream candidate for MAGA conservatives,” citing his opposition to large-scale immigration, liberal nongovernmental organizations, and established centers of power within Hungary’s judiciary and media.
During his time in office, Orban repeatedly clashed with the European Union while cultivating closer ties with China.
Trump endorsed Orban during Hungary’s April elections, while Vice President JD Vance also took part in campaigning on his behalf.
According to another source familiar with the initiative, Trump and Vance are expected to back 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 backgrounds in international bureaucracy or behind-the-scenes diplomacy.
Orban, by contrast, would bring the approach of a political leader accustomed to exercising power, the official said.
The US official echoed that assessment, arguing that Orban has the right ideological outlook, knows how to navigate opposition, and would not be intimidated by the UN establishment.
However, the report also raised 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, along with controversies surrounding his policies in Hungary, are expected 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 race 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 her candidacy.
The informal vote is intended to assess support for the various candidates as Security Council members work toward reaching a consensus on a nominee.
It remains unclear whether Orban’s name will be included in Wednesday’s vote, and additional candidates could still enter the race.
The term of 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 sources cited in the report. There has been no official announcement of his candidacy or public confirmation that the three powers would support him.
