US Officials Seek Orban for UN Top Job

American officials have approached former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban about entering the race for UN secretary-general, according to a report citing sources from three countries. Orban has shown interest but has not made a final decision.

Washington believes Russia and China would also back Orban, based on earlier discussions, which would make him a joint candidate supported by all three powers. A State Department official acknowledged the idea initially sounded far-fetched but estimated eight of the Security Council's 15 members would support him easily and that he could reach as many as 10 votes. No country has publicly committed to backing him.

Orban's name surfaced repeatedly as US officials discussed what they wanted in the next secretary-general. They spoke of seeking someone like Orban, and their Chinese and Russian counterparts agreed, after which Washington considered contacting him directly. Orban was receptive but voiced reservations tied to his identity as a nationalist politician, and he declined to comment on the report.

The State Department official described Orban as the dream candidate for MAGA conservatives, citing his opposition to large-scale immigration, liberal nongovernmental organizations, and established centers of power in Hungary's judiciary and media. In office, Orban clashed with the European Union while building closer ties with China. Trump endorsed him in Hungary's April elections, and Vice President JD Vance campaigned on his behalf.

A source familiar with the initiative said Trump and Vance are expected to back Orban if he runs, with any announcement waiting until after the US midterm elections. The positions of the UK and France, both permanent Security Council members with veto power, remain unclear.

Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh entered the race last week and is expected to answer questions on Tuesday, ahead of another Security Council straw poll on Wednesday. It is unclear whether Orban's name will appear in that informal vote, which is meant to gauge support as members work toward consensus on a nominee. Antonio Guterres's term ends on December 31.

For now, the push for Orban rests on discussions and assessments from sources cited in the report, with no official announcement of a candidacy and no public confirmation that the three powers would support him.