Viktor Orbán: A Shift from Hungary to the U.N.?
Viktor Orbán, having faced a setback in Hungary, might be eyeing a new opportunity at the United Nations. Reports indicate that officials from the Trump administration are encouraging the former Hungarian prime minister to consider a bid for U.N. secretary-general, as detailed by the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board this past Sunday. If he goes for it, he would be endorsed as a candidate by the United States, Russia, and China.
It seems that both Russia and China are also inclined to support Orbán, although the Journal notes that a final decision hasn’t been reached yet. Blaze News couldn’t independently verify these claims made in the op-ed.
The editorial highlights, “When the U.S., Russia, and China all want the same thing at the U.N. Security Council, they usually get it,” a reminder of how consensus among these major players can sway outcomes.
At the moment, there has been no confirmation from the White House, the Kremlin, or Beijing regarding this matter with other media outlets, which leaves a sense of uncertainty around the whole situation.
Current Secretary-General António Guterres’s term is set to conclude on December 31, and so far, no formidable candidate has surfaced as a potential successor.
An Oct. 16 survey indicated that none of the seven declared candidates have the unanimous backing of the permanent Security Council members— the U.S., U.K., China, Russia, and France, according to the Associated Press.
Each of the permanent members holds significant veto powers over U.N. actions, which complicates the selection process. The leading candidates, including U.N. trade chief Rebeca Grynspan from Costa Rica, U.N. nuclear chief Rafael Grossi from Argentina, and Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana, have faced opposition from at least two of these veto-wielding nations, though the specifics of who opposes whom remain unclear.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz commented on the situation, saying that the institution, after 80 years, attempts to cater to everyone, yet he doesn’t support a diversity-based approach for selecting a new secretary-general. He acknowledges the drive for regional representation but emphasizes that the top priority should be selecting the best candidate, regardless of gender.
A candidate will need nine votes from the Security Council while avoiding vetoes from any of the permanent members, which could pose challenges for an Orbán candidacy, especially in light of potential opposition from countries like France and the United Kingdom.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk seemed to mock the notion of Orbán’s candidacy, suggesting it was as amusing as when Orbán was rumored to be in the running for president of the European Commission.
In Hungary, the recent elections saw Orbán’s 16-year rule end with the Tisza party’s Péter Magyar, whose campaign mirrored a more E.U.-friendly, center-right, and anti-corruption stance, winning decisively.
Former President Trump had previously described Orbán as a “true friend” and lent his endorsement during the campaign, while Vice President JD Vance also supported him during his time in Hungary.
Since Magyar assumed leadership, investigations into fraud and corruption have already begun targeting former officials from Orbán’s administration. Several former ministers and a central bank governor are reportedly under scrutiny, but as of now, Orbán himself has not faced any charges.
If Orbán were to secure the position of U.N. secretary-general, he would gain diplomatic immunity, making him shielded from potential investigations or legal issues. When questioned about the possibility of the deputy secretary-general role, Orbán’s spokesperson labeled those reports as “fake news.”
Neither Orbán’s office nor the White House or the State Department responded to various inquiries for comment regarding this situation, leaving many questions unanswered.
