The nomination of Annalena Baerbock as Germany’s candidate for President of the UN General Assembly has caused a significant uproar, attracting criticism both within the UN and the broader diplomatic community.
It was revealed last week that Germany’s current foreign minister is running for the 2025-2026 term, despite an earlier agreement that the position would go to Helga Schmid, the experienced diplomat and former Secretary General of the OSCE.
Leaked internal chats among UN staff, published by Tagesspiegel, revealed strong discontent over the decision. One message expressed that Baerbock’s candidacy “strengthens the impression that powerful states are using key positions in the UN for their own interests.” Another UN staff member remarked, “We thought this only happens in authoritarian countries.”
Christoph Heusgen, the former head of the Munich Security Conference, also voiced sharp criticism, emphasizing that the UN is not a “self-service shop.” He highlighted that Schmid had already completed negotiations with numerous delegations and enjoyed significant international trust, making her sudden dismissal all the more controversial.
In response to the backlash, Baerbock defended her nomination, stating that her potential presidency would be a crucial time for the General Assembly, particularly with the upcoming transition in the position of UN Secretary-General. She stressed that Germany’s candidacy was “prepared jointly” and not about an individual person. Baerbock further assured that Schmid “will still work in a leading position.” The election for the President of the General Assembly is set for June, with the term to begin in September.
