Trump administration pushes former Hungarian PM Orbán for UN chief, WSJ reports
The Trump administration has approached former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán about running for United Nations secretary-general, with Russia and China believed to support his potential candidacy, The Wall Street Journal's editorial board reported on October 25, citing sources from three countries.
According to the newspaper, U.S. officials initially discussed finding a candidate similar to Orbán, whose nationalist and socially conservative policies have made him a favorite of the MAGA movement. They eventually proposed Orbán himself.
Washington has encouraged Orbán to enter the race, and U.S. officials who approached him reportedly found him receptive. However, he is reluctant to run without confidence that he can win.
Russia and China are believed to support the idea following discussions with Washington, potentially making Orbán a joint candidate backed by three permanent members of the UN Security Council.
A U.S. State Department official estimated that Orbán could comfortably secure eight votes on the 15-member Security Council, with as many as 10 within reach.
However, Britain and France, which also hold permanent seats and veto power, could oppose his candidacy.
Orbán's political record includes close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, opposition to immigration and repeated clashes with the European Union over democratic institutions and the rule of law.
He lost power after Hungary's April 2026 parliamentary elections, when Péter Magyar's Tisza party secured an absolute majority. Magyar became prime minister in May.
Trump endorsed Orbán ahead of the Hungarian election, while U.S. Vice President JD Vance campaigned on his behalf.
The UN secretary-general is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. Any of the five permanent Security Council members can block a candidate.
Current Secretary-General António Guterres's term expires on December 31, 2026.
According to the WSJ, an announcement concerning Orbán's potential candidacy has been held back until after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections. Orbán declined to comment on the report.