France rejects Orbán as potential UN chief, calls post no “consolation prize”
France has rejected the prospect of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán becoming the next United Nations secretary-general, saying the position should not serve as a consolation prize for a politician rejected by voters.
Speaking in the French Senate on October 28, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot dismissed the possibility of supporting Orbán, whose potential candidacy has reportedly been discussed by the Trump administration.
"The position of United Nations secretary-general is not intended to be a consolation prize for a leader defeated at the ballot box and driven out by his own people," Barrot said, according to a transcript published by the French Foreign Ministry.
He also argued that the UN should not be weakened by major powers seeking to impose their will through force rather than international law.
Barrot said France wanted the next secretary-general to strengthen and reform the organization, rather than undermine its credibility.
The minister highlighted France's proposal to restrict the use of veto power by permanent members of the UN Security Council in situations involving attacks on civilians, including in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza and Iran.
"What we expect from the future secretary-general is someone who can reform the United Nations to strengthen it, and certainly not discredit it in order to bury it," Barrot said.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that US President Donald Trump's administration was considering Orbán for the position and had reportedly encouraged him to enter the race. According to the newspaper, Washington believed the former Hungarian leader could secure support from Russia and China.
No final US decision on a potential Orbán candidacy had been announced.
The term of current UN Secretary-General António Guterres ends on December 31, 2026.
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