Associated PressBaerbock was the only candidate for this position. On March 18, it became known about the plans of the German Cabinet to nominate Baerbock as a candidate for the post of President of the UN General Assembly for 2025-2026. At the same time, the German Foreign Ministry had previously announced its intention to nominate Helga Schmidt, a former OSCE Secretary General and career diplomat.
Later, Spiegel magazine reported that Baerbock’s appointment had caused discontent in the German Foreign Ministry. In particular, German diplomats fear that Baerbock’s appointment will cost Germany votes, especially in the countries of the global South, due to her anti-Russian and pro-Israeli rhetoric. According to some diplomats, such a move threatens to disrupt Germany’s efforts to be elected to the UN Security Council.
GERMANY:
— Prince Johann George V (@GeorgeVMagazine) June 3, 2025
"QATAR, NO QUIERO RONCAR. TU SABES LO QUÉ HAY. SACAMÉ A TODOS ISRAELIS ESOS MUERTOS YA."
In mid-May, the First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, said that Berlin’s decision to nominate Baerbock was a slap in the face of the world organization. Polyansky then recalled that it was the former head of the German Foreign Ministry who recommended not inviting representatives of Russia and Belarus to the commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, and also openly stated that “she is proud of her grandfather, who served in the SS.”
The 80th session of the UN General Assembly will begin in September.
TACCPP
CJ Maldonado contributed to this report.
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