UN: US Encourages Viktor Orban to Run to Succeed António Guterres

The Wall Street Journal reports that Donald Trump’s administration has encouraged Viktor Orban to seek the UN secretary-general post and discussed the idea with Russia and China, which are said to support a joint candidacy. A US official says Orban has eight supporters on the 15-member Security Council; nine votes, with no veto from a permanent member, are needed to recommend a candidate to the General Assembly. Orban has reportedly responded positively but would run only if victory were assured. He is not among the declared candidates and lost Hungary’s legislative election six months earlier after 16 years in power.