A reported U.S. approach has yet to result in a formal candidacy for former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is absent from the United Nations’ public roster as nominations continue.
The Wall Street Journal’s Opinion section reported Oct. 25 that Trump administration officials encouraged Orbán to consider the post and discussed him as a possible joint candidate with Russia and China. It said Orbán was receptive but had not decided whether to run. The editorial cited no public endorsement from Moscow or Beijing.
The Journal cited an unnamed U.S. Department of State official’s estimate that Orbán could attract eight of the Security Council’s 15 votes, with 10 possibly attainable. Those figures are estimates, not pledged votes.
The UN’s public roster lists seven active candidates. One or more member states can nominate a candidate at any stage. The Security Council reviews contenders in private straw polls before recommending one to the General Assembly. A recommendation needs at least nine votes, and any of the five permanent members can block it with a veto.
Hungary’s National Election Office reported that TISZA won 141 seats in April’s parliamentary election, while FIDESZ-KDNP took 52 and Mi Hazánk won six. The current secretary-general’s term ends Dec. 31, 2026. EconoTimes previously covered Orbán’s absence from the roster and the reported U.S. approach.
The next public event is an interactive dialogue with Lana Zaki Nusseibeh on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 3 p.m. EDT (19:00 UTC). At an Oct. 23 briefing, a General Assembly spokesperson said the date of the next Security Council straw poll was not known.