German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will become President of the United Nations General Assembly for the 2025–2026 term, despite the fact that diplomat Helga Schmid was initially nominated for the position.
According to the dpa agency, an unofficial decision has already been made, and the upcoming vote will be merely a formality. Baerbock’s appointment has sparked criticism, as it comes after a change of government in Germany and the departure of the Green Party from the ruling coalition.
The 64-year-old Helga Schmid, who has extensive diplomatic experience, was originally expected to take the role. She previously held key positions in the European External Action Service, served as the EU’s chief negotiator on the Iran nuclear deal, and was Secretary General of the OSCE from 2020 to 2024. Following the withdrawal of her candidacy for the UN post, Schmid will continue her work at the Munich Security Conference.
According to BILD, Schmid only learned at the last moment that she would not be getting the position, despite Western European countries having previously agreed on her nomination. Diplomatic circles acknowledge that changes in appointments do occur, but a sitting minister has never held this post before.
Annalena Baerbock has defended her appointment, stating that foreign ministers and prime ministers have previously held similar positions. She emphasized that in times of global instability, the UN is “more important than ever,” and Germany is ready to take on special responsibility.
