UN: „Unverantwortlich“ – USA und Russland kritisieren Baerbock

Russland and the United States accuse Annalena Baerbock of overstepping her authority as President of the UN General Assembly during the selection process for the next UN Secretary-General. Russia expressed concern about Baerbock's attempt to claim the Security Council's role, according to Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia.

This followed criticism from the United States the previous day, in which Baerbock was accused of "hypocrisy." The controversy stems from Baerbock's involvement in the process to select her successor, António Guterres, as UN Secretary-General. The final recommendation on the position lies with the UN Security Council, which, in closed-door votes, agrees on a candidate who is then appointed by the General Assembly's 193 member states.

Guterres is stepping down at the end of the year. Currently, there are eight candidates vying for the position. Baerbock, as is customary, organized public consultations for the candidates and wrote to the Security Council regarding the selection process. The audience then voted on the candidates, which was unprecedented. She also asked the Security Council not to consider candidates who had not participated in a dialogue with the General Assembly beforehand.

US Ambassador Jennifer Locetta described Baerbock's actions as "competing in competence" and "irresponsible," emphasizing that the Security Council, which includes the USA and Russia as permanent members, could consider candidates who had never participated in a General Assembly dialogue. Baerbock views herself as a "diplomatic superstar" and indirectly accused the Security Council of not acting properly.

"The President's conduct reveals hypocrisy and casts a poor light on the work of the General Assembly," Locetta criticized. Baerbock holds the one-year post as President of the General Assembly until early September.