UN Leadership: Washington Backs Orbán to Win Security Council Votes

The race for the United Nations secretary-general has taken a sharp turn as the Trump administration moved to promote former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for the role. According to reporting from The Wall Street Journal, US officials did not merely support Orbán’s interest in the position but actively suggested he enter the race. The strategy relies on securing the votes of Russia and China, two permanent members of the Security Council who hold veto power.

One State Department official under the current administration acknowledged that the proposal might sound unusual at first. However, the official argued that past negotiations suggest Moscow and Beijing are open to the idea. The plan is to position Orbán as a joint candidate acceptable to all three powers. US and allied officials noted that when Washington, Moscow, and Beijing align on a goal within the Security Council, they typically succeed in achieving it.

Support for Orbán is counted in specific numbers by US diplomats. A State Department representative stated that Orbán could secure eight votes in the Security Council immediately, which would allow him to win comfortably. The official added that another ten votes out of the fifteen Council members could potentially be secured, creating a strong majority. One American official described Orbán as the ideal conservative candidate for the administration’s political base.

The administration views Orbán as a distinct type of leader compared to other contenders. While other candidates are described as experienced bureaucrats or behind-the-scenes diplomats, Orbán is seen as a forceful figure. A State Department representative agreed with this assessment, noting that Orbán adheres to the ideology Washington prefers. The official added that Orbán knows how to exercise power in hostile environments and will not be intimidated by the diplomatic establishment.

Orbán’s political history informs this assessment. The former prime minister has clashed with the European Union while maintaining access to its subsidies. His pro-China orientation has not hurt his image as a defender of Western civilization in the eyes of US officials. His actions against mass migration, liberal non-governmental organizations, and left-leaning courts and press have also aligned with the preferences of the current US leadership.

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are expected to support Orbán if he formally announces his candidacy. However, sources indicate that the official announcement is being held back until after the upcoming US midterm elections. US officials have already contacted Orbán to gauge his interest. He expressed a positive inclination toward the role, though he did so with certain caveats.

The move occurs against a backdrop of growing calls for reform at the United Nations. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recently emphasized the need to strengthen accountability mechanisms to stop governments that undermine international rules. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul have also criticized the Security Council, particularly the veto power that has prevented decisive action during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.