The administration of US President Donald Trump has invited former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to nominate him for the post of UN Secretary General, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing sources in three countries. According to the newspaper, the final decision on his appointment has not yet been made. It is assumed that Orban could become a joint candidate of Washington, Moscow and Beijing. Officials from the United States and another country told the publication that when the US, Russia and China want the same thing in the UN Security Council, they tend to get their way. A spokesperson for the US State Department told the publication that Orban can confidently count on eight votes in the UN Security Council, with slightly less confidence in receiving two more votes out of 15 votes. Britain and France are unlikely to stand in the way of his appointment because they tend to be cautious about using their veto power, the sources said. The Trump administration sees Orban as a candidate ideologically close to American conservatives. One of his WSJ interlocutors called him a dream candidate—a dream candidate or an ideal option for "MAGA conservatives." Among the advantages of the former Hungarian Prime Minister, American officials point to his position on immigration issues and experience of political confrontation with European institutions. According to the WSJ, Orban has expressed interest in the bid to run for secretary general, but does not intend to enter the race for the position until he is confident of his chances of winning. An announcement about a possible candidacy is expected after the US midterm elections. The current UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will leave his post on December 31, 2026. He has held it since 2017. The head of the world organization is scheduled to take office on January 1, 2027. The candidate must be recommended by the Security Council, after which the appointment will be approved by the UN General Assembly.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has invited former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to nominate him for the post of UN Secretary General, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing sources in three countries. According to the newspaper, the final decision on his appointment has not yet been made. It is assumed that Orban could become a joint candidate of Washington, Moscow and Beijing. Officials from the United States and another country told the publication that when the US, Russia and China want the same thing in the UN Security Council, they tend to get their way. A spokesperson for the US State Department told the publication that Orban can confidently count on eight votes in the UN Security Council, with slightly less confidence in receiving two more votes out of 15 votes. Britain and France are unlikely to stand in the way of his appointment because they tend to be cautious about using their veto power, the sources said. The Trump administration sees Orban as a candidate ideologically close to American conservatives. One of his WSJ interlocutors called him a dream candidate—a dream candidate or an ideal option for "MAGA conservatives." Among the advantages of the former Hungarian Prime Minister, American officials point to his position on immigration issues and experience of political confrontation with European institutions. According to the WSJ, Orban has expressed interest in the bid to run for secretary general, but does not intend to enter the race for the position until he is confident of his chances of winning. An announcement about a possible candidacy is expected after the US midterm elections. The current UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will leave his post on December 31, 2026. He has held it since 2017. The head of the world organization is scheduled to take office on January 1, 2027. The candidate must be recommended by the Security Council, after which the appointment will be approved by the UN General Assembly.