OMM Newsroom
The Trump administration has encouraged former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to consider running for UN secretary-general, with Russia and China said to be receptive, Anadolu Agency reported Sunday, citing The Wall Street Journal.
Officials from the three countries confirmed to the newspaper that Washington had raised Orban’s potential candidacy. If pursued, he could become a joint candidate backed by the United States, Russia and China. The proposal is awaiting a final decision.
A US State Department official acknowledged that the idea might initially sound far-fetched, but said the three powers could secure enough support in the UN Security Council. The official estimated that eight of the council’s 15 members would “comfortably” support Orban, with 10 votes potentially within reach.
Britain and France, both permanent Security Council members with veto power, could oppose the proposal. However, the newspaper’s editorial noted that they have generally been cautious about using their vetoes.
Orban’s name repeatedly came up in discussions among US, Chinese and Russian officials about potential candidates. According to the editorial, American officials eventually began asking, “Why not Mr. Orban?”
The proposal reflects the Trump administration’s ideological alignment with Orban, whom the editorial described as “the dream MAGA-conservative candidate.” It cited his opposition to mass migration and liberal nongovernmental organizations, his disputes with Hungary’s left-leaning courts and media, and his frequent clashes with the European Union.
Despite his close alignment with China, Orban has maintained an image as a defender of Western civilization, the editorial said.
US President Donald Trump endorsed Orban in Hungary’s April 2026 election, while Vice President JD Vance campaigned for him. A third source familiar with the process told the newspaper that both were expected to support Orban again if he entered the UN race, although an announcement was being held back until after the US midterm elections.
US officials initially contacted Orban to gauge his interest. He was reportedly receptive but cautious, and the nationalist politician was unwilling to run unless he believed he had a strong chance of winning. Orban declined to comment.
The editorial contrasted Orban with other potential candidates, describing the field as dominated by people with international bureaucratic or diplomatic experience. An official from another country called Orban a “general” rather than a “secretary,” a view shared by the US official, who argued that Orban had the ideological convictions and political resolve to challenge the UN establishment.
Lana Nusseibeh, a diplomat from the United Arab Emirates, entered the race the previous week. The editorial said alleged UAE support for a paramilitary force involved in Sudan’s civil war could weigh against her candidacy, while describing her as qualified and gaining momentum.
Nusseibeh was scheduled to answer questions Tuesday, followed by a new Security Council straw poll Wednesday. Additional candidates could still enter the contest.
Current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ term ends on Dec. 31, 2026. The editorial criticized his leadership and argued that Orban’s potential candidacy would expose the extent of the institution’s decline.
