【A Surprise Dark Horse Close to Trump Emerges in the Race for UN Secretary-General】
The selection process for the United Nations Secretary-General has suddenly taken an unexpected turn. Previously circulated candidate lists mostly featured prominent figures aligned with traditional multilateralism. However, the situation has now changed dramatically: a former diplomat with deep ties to Trump has unexpectedly entered the race, drawing intense global attention to whether the U.S. government might use its veto power in the Security Council to push forward a "Trump-colored" candidate.
According to Reuters, among several candidates who have already declared their intentions, the most notable is 75-year-old Ecuadorian veteran diplomat Yvonne Baki. During her tenure as Ecuador’s ambassador to the United States, she gained widespread recognition for establishing exceptionally close personal diplomatic relations with Trump. She has now been formally nominated by the Kingdom of Tonga, making her the most controversial and talked-about dark horse in this contest.
Currently, the race remains dominated by traditional multilateral officials. Leading the field is former Costa Rican Vice President Greenspan, who has extensive experience working within international organizations and is also a woman—giving her a significant advantage. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency is closely following behind.
Regarding Trump’s stance, it is well known that he holds little regard for conventional politicians. Earlier reports from U.S. media revealed that Trump once wanted non-traditional figures like Gianni Infantino of FIFA to take office. Now, with Yvonne Baki—a candidate deeply rooted in pro-Trump backgrounds—entering the race, the U.S. position in the upcoming selection process is under heightened scrutiny. Since the positions of the five permanent members of the Security Council are crucial during the UN Secretary-General selection, this provides Trump with considerable room for maneuvering.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1874216923182080/
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