US Reportedly Pushes Viktor Orban as UN Secretary-General Candidate, Backed by Russia and China

In brief

• The Trump administration reportedly proposes former Hungarian PM Viktor Orban for UN Secretary-General.
• According to the WSJ, Russia and China support the idea, and Orban is willing to consider it.
• Guterres's term ends December 31, 2026; Orban has not declared a candidacy.

US Floats Orban for UN Top Post

The administration of Donald Trump has put forward former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban as a candidate for UN Secretary-General, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources in three countries (WSJ: США предложили Виктора Орбана на пост генсека ООН – Meduza). The newspaper said Washington has encouraged Orban to enter the race and has presented him with a preliminary proposal (Viktor Orban sekretarzem generalnym ONZ? "Plan czeka na decyzję" – Onet).

A US State Department representative reportedly argued that Orban could secure eight votes on the Security Council without great difficulty and considered support from ten of the 15 members achievable. The official described him as a dream candidate for the MAGA movement, pointing to his government's actions against mass migration, liberal non-governmental organizations and courts and media that he views as left-leaning.

The paper also reported that Russia and China back the idea. US and third-country officials said that when the United States, Russia and China want the same outcome in the Security Council, they usually get it (Трамп планує призначити генсеком ООН одного з найкращих союзників Путіна, – WSJ – UNIAN). The plan would reportedly make Orban a joint candidate of the three powers.

US officials contacted Orban to gauge his interest, and he said he is ready to consider the proposal, according to the WSJ. He reportedly will not declare a candidacy unless he is confident of winning. Orban declined to comment publicly.

The term of current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expires on December 31, 2026. Orban served as Hungary's prime minister for 16 years and lost the parliamentary election held on April 12, 2026.