8 votes: Trump aims for Orban UN bid

Former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban may soon enter the race to replace United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term expires on December 31. US President Donald Trump is actively encouraging Orban to run, a move that could reshape the selection process if the former leader decides to join the field. The proposal hinges on a rare alignment of interests between Washington, Moscow, and Beijing.

The push for Orban began with informal discussions among US officials who sought a candidate with a strong political profile. These conversations led to direct outreach from US representatives to Orban’s team. Although Orban has expressed interest, he has not yet made a final decision, citing his identity as a nationalist politician and a desire to ensure his chances of winning are strong before announcing his bid.

Washington believes it can secure a stable majority on the Security Council for this candidacy. A State Department official estimated that eight of the council’s 15 members would easily support Orban, with the potential to reach ten votes. The official noted that while the proposal initially seemed unlikely, previous discussions suggest that Russia and China are likely to back the joint candidacy.

Key questions remain regarding the positions of the United Kingdom and France, both of which hold veto power on the Security Council. The report indicates that London and Paris may refrain from blocking a candidate who has the backing of a council majority and the other three permanent members. However, neither government has officially stated its position.

If Orban enters the race, his candidacy would mark a shift away from the current field, which largely consists of international bureaucrats and diplomats. US officials describe him as a candidate aligned with conservative values, particularly regarding immigration and the role of non-governmental organizations. Trump and Vice President JD Vance are expected to support Orban if he decides to run.

The timeline for any official announcement is expected to pause until after the US midterm elections. Meanwhile, other candidates are advancing in the process. Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh is scheduled to answer questions from the Security Council on Tuesday, ahead of a straw poll on Wednesday. It remains unclear if Orban’s name will be included in that informal vote.

For now, the movement to place Orban in the race is based on assessments from various sources rather than public commitments. No official announcement of his candidacy or a formal agreement among the three major powers has been released.