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 apply. 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. U.S. and other officials said that when Washington, Moscow and Beijing agree on an outcome in the Security Council, they can generally secure it. substantial support for the council.Delegates from several countries leave the room as Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to speak during the 81st session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly at UN Headquarters on September 24, 2026 in New York City. (credit: Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images) The official estimated that eight of the 15 members of the Security Council would “easily” support his candidacy, with the possibility of obtaining up to 10 votes. However, the report did not cite any public commitment by countries to support Orban. A key question is how the United Kingdom and France, both permanent members of the Security Council with veto power, would respond. The report suggested the two countries could refrain from blocking a candidate backed by a majority of the council and the other three permanent members. However, neither London nor Paris were cited as having taken an official position. From ‘someone like Orban’ to direct communication According to the report, Orban’s name came up repeatedly during discussions among US officials about their preferred candidate for the next UN secretary general. US officials reportedly said they were looking for “someone like Orban,” a suggestion their Chinese and Russian counterparts agreed with. Subsequently, Washington began to consider approaching Orban directly. U.S. 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 sure he could win. He declined to comment on the report. A State Department official described Orban as the “dream candidate of MAGA conservatives,” citing his opposition to large-scale immigration, liberal nongovernmental organizations, and established power centers within Hungary’s judiciary and media. During his tenure, Orban repeatedly clashed with the European Union while cultivating closer ties with China. Trump endorsed Orban during Hungary’s April election, while Vice President JD Vance also participated in his campaign. According to another source familiar with the effort, Trump and Vance are expected to endorse Orban in the race for UN secretary general if he decides to run. The source said any possible announcement would be delayed until after the US midterm elections, the official said. The US official echoed that assessment, arguing that Orban has the right ideological perspective, 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. Her ties to Moscow and Beijing, along with controversies surrounding her policies in Hungary, are expected to come under scrutiny if she 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 “informal poll” scheduled for Wednesday, which will also gauge support for her candidacy. The informal vote is intended to gauge support for various candidates as Security Council members work to reach consensus. about a nominee. It is not yet clear whether Orban’s name will be included in Wednesday’s vote, and additional candidates could still enter the race. The mandate of the 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 all three powers would support him.
