Washington Circulates Orbán's Name to Moscow and Beijing for UN Chief
State Department officials are weighing a bid for the former Hungarian prime minister, with a decision held until after the US midterm elections.
By Layla Fontaine ·
The United States is working through the mechanics of a UN secretary-general selection that would require alignment among Washington, Moscow and Beijing. According to the Wall Street Journal, citing sources, the Trump administration is promoting former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán for the post, expecting Russia and China to support the bid.
The initiative originated in Washington. The Journal reports that U.S. officials did not merely back Orbán's decision to enter the race; they put the idea to him first. American officials have since approached him to test his interest, and the Journal says he was positively inclined, subject to conditions. A State Department official acknowledged the plan sounds unusual on first hearing, but the Journal reports that prior discussions with Washington have led to the belief that Russia and China would support it, with Orbán positioned as their joint candidate.
The vote arithmetic is the operative claim. A State Department representative counted eight Security Council votes for Orbán that would carry him comfortably, plus a potential 10 of the Council's 15 members. Officials from the U.S. and a second country told the Journal that when the United States, Russia and China pursue a shared objective in the Security Council, they generally reach it.
The appeal rests on policy positions rather than diplomatic pedigree. One American official called Orbán "the dream MAGA-conservative candidate," pointing to his actions on mass migration, liberal NGOs, left-leaning courts and the press. The Journal notes his disputes with the European Union while drawing its subsidies, and a pro-China orientation that did not dent his standing as a defender of Western civilisation. A State Department representative said Orbán adheres to the correct ideology, knows how to exercise power under hostile conditions and will not be intimidated by the establishment. A representative of a second country said other candidates carry more "secretary" than "general."
Should Orbán formally declare, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are expected to back him again. A source familiar with the process told the Journal that the announcement is being held until after the US midterm elections.
The push arrives amid criticism of the Council's functioning. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recently called for reform and stronger accountability mechanisms. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul criticized the Council in spring for failing to act because of individual members' vetoes, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for removing the veto.
