US official projects 10 Security Council votes for Orban's UN bid
Washington is testing the waters with Budapest as a potential joint nominee backed by Moscow and Beijing, with a vote expected to be gauged as early as Wednesday.
By Alejandro Ruiz ·
Ten votes. That is the maximum number of United Nations Security Council members a US State Department official estimated former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban could secure if he runs for secretary-general. The official told reporters that eight of the 15 council members would likely support the former leader "easily," placing him in a position to challenge the current diplomatic consensus.
The proposal stems from a series of private discussions between Washington, Moscow, and Beijing. According to sources from three countries, US officials approached Orban to gauge his interest in entering the race. He has shown receptivity but has not made a final decision. The American team believes the other two permanent powers would also back him, creating a joint candidacy that the US official argued is usually decisive at the Security Council.
The State Department official admitted the initial reaction to the idea was skepticism, calling it far-fetched. However, the assessment shifted after Orban expressed willingness to consider the role. He voiced reservations rooted in his identity as a nationalist politician. He reportedly refuses to announce a bid unless he is confident of victory and has declined to comment on the current reporting.
The US official described Orban as the "dream candidate for MAGA conservatives." This characterization points to his public opposition to large-scale immigration, liberal nongovernmental organizations, and established centers of power in the Hungarian judiciary and media. During his time in office, Orban frequently clashed with the European Union while strengthening ties with China. US President Donald Trump endorsed Orban in Hungary's April elections, and Vice President JD Vance campaigned on his behalf.
Another source familiar with the initiative said Trump and Vance are expected to support Orban if he enters the race. Any formal announcement would likely wait until after the US midterm elections. The current candidate field is described by an official from another country as consisting mostly of figures from international bureaucracy or quiet diplomacy. Orban would represent a different approach, described as that of a political leader used to wielding power.
Conversely, the report raised concerns that appointing Orban could transform the post into a defender of Russian President Vladimir Putin and other authoritarian leaders. His ties to Moscow and Beijing, along with his record in Hungary, would likely face intense scrutiny. The positions of the United Kingdom and France remain a key question. Both are permanent members with veto power. The report suggested they might not block a candidate supported by a council majority and the other three permanent members, though neither London nor Paris has taken an official stance.
Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh, who entered the race last week, is expected to answer questions on Tuesday. A Security Council straw poll is scheduled for Wednesday to gauge support as members work toward consensus. It is unclear whether Orban's name will appear on the ballot. Current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's term ends on December 31.
For now, the push for Orban rests on discussions and assessments from cited sources. There has been no official announcement of a candidacy and no public confirmation that the three powers would support him.
Source: The Jerusalem Post
