The Trump administration is pushing former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to become the next UN Secretary-General, possibly as a joint candidate backed by the US, Russia and China. Washington turned to Urban, who is interested but reluctant to enter the race without confidence he can win. Moscow and Beijing responded positively, although neither officially supported it. President Donald Trump and Vice President J. Dee Vance is expected to support Orban if he runs, with a possible announcement after the US midterm elections in November. A US official estimates that he could get 8-10 votes on the 15-member UN Security Council, although Britain or France could veto his appointment. Orban, who lost power in the April elections in Hungary after 16 years, is known for his close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his support for Israel in European diplomacy. The offer comes as Antonio Guterres prepares to leave office on December 31, ending his second five-year term after years of tensions with Israel over the Gaza war. The race to replace him remains deadlocked, without a candidate who has secured sufficient support from the Security Council.

The Trump administration is pushing former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to become the next UN Secretary-General, possibly as a joint candidate backed by the US, Russia and China. Washington turned to Urban, who is interested but reluctant to enter the race without confidence he can win. Moscow and Beijing responded positively, although neither officially supported it. President Donald Trump and Vice President J. Dee Vance is expected to support Orban if he runs, with a possible announcement after the US midterm elections in November. A US official estimates that he could get 8-10 votes on the 15-member UN Security Council, although Britain or France could veto his appointment. Orban, who lost power in the April elections in Hungary after 16 years, is known for his close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his support for Israel in European diplomacy. The offer comes as Antonio Guterres prepares to leave office on December 31, ending his second five-year term after years of tensions with Israel over the Gaza war. The race to replace him remains deadlocked, without a candidate who has secured sufficient support from the Security Council.