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Le vice-président américain J.D. Vance, en visite à Budapest, a vanté, mardi 7 avril, les mérites du Premier ministre hongrois Viktor Orban face à ce qu'il a dénoncé comme des interférences de Bruxelles. Nous sommes à quelques jours des élections législatives pour lesquelles le dirigeant nationaliste semble en mauvaise posture.

Après plusieurs années de détention en Iran, les Français Cécile Kohler et Jacques Paris sont arrivés, mercredi, à Paris. D'abord accueillis par leurs proches, ils ont ensuite rencontré Emmanuel Macron en fin de matinée à l'Élysée. Ils ont évoqué "l'horreur quotidienne" et "l'arbitraire permanent" de leur emprisonnement.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

A segítséget kérő Pola és a Zara közti üzenetváltást a Vittorio Venetón is vették, ahol Iachino is csak ekkor szerzett tudomást arról, hogy egyik cirkálóját találat érte. Negyed kilenckor Cattaneo is tájékoztatta főparancsnokát a történtekről, egyben kérte, engedélyezze két romboló visszaküldését a Polához, hogy segítsenek a bajba jutott hajón. A zászlóshajó rádiósainak hibájából azonban az üzenet csak tíz perccel később jutott el Iachinóhoz, aki 20.18-kor, már azután, hogy Cattaneo elküldte üzenetét, de még azelőtt, hogy ő ezt megkapta volna, utasította Cattaneót, két cirkálójával és rombolóival forduljon vissza a Pola megsegítésére. Cattaneo felismerte, hogy az üzenetek elkerülték egymást, ezért nem engedelmeskedett azonnal, hanem 20.24-kor ismét rákérdezett, és kérte az előbbi üzenet megerősítését.

Közben Iachino megkapta Cattaneo első üzenetét, ám úgy vélte, két kis romboló kevés lesz ahhoz, hogy segítséget tudjanak nyújtani a Polának. Ezért 20.45-kor ismét megerősítette az 1.Osztag visszafordulását elrendelő parancsát, majd negyedórával később a biztonság kedvéért azt még egyszer leadatta Cattaneónak.

[...] Bővebben!

Les interrogations se multiplient sur les instigateurs du projet et son rôle potentiel à l'approche des élections législatives en Pologne

The post Un média américain d’extrême droite débarque en Pologne appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Néhány óra alatt 13 százalékkal lett olcsóbb a kőolaj azt követően, hogy az Amerikai Egyesült Államok és Irán kéthetes tűzszünetet kötött. Kevéssel reggel 8 óra után, az oilprice.com szakportál valós idejű adatai szerint a Brent féle nyersolajat júniusi szállításra hordónkénti 94 dollár 94 centen jegyezték, ami kb. 13 százalékkal alacsonyabb az egy nappal korábbi árnál. […]

Articolul Csökkent a nyersolaj ára az amerikai-iráni tűzszünet hírére apare prima dată în Kolozsvári Rádió Románia.

In today's edition: Pesticides, Greek minister, CMO

Kolozsvár idei költségvetése várhatóan mintegy 50 millió euróval lesz kisebb a tavalyinál – jelentette be Emil Boc polgármester. Mintegy 30 millió euró esik ki az úgynevezett korrekciós együttható módosítása miatt, további 20 millió euró pedig az egységes jövedelemnyilatkozathoz kapcsolódó bevételek csökkenéséből adódik. A tervezet szerint Kolozsvár költségvetése 835 millió euró lehet, amelyet még ebben a […]

Articolul Kevesebb pénzből gazdálkodik idén Kolozsvár apare prima dată în Kolozsvári Rádió Románia.

Également dans l'édition de mercredi : l'Iran, la rencontre entre Rutte et Trump, les factures d'énergie, CRE versus Orbán, Vance, les chevaux

The post Schinas et l’art de vivre à la grecque appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Ce mercredi 8 avril 2026, la presse congolaise focalise son attention sur l’arrivée et la prise de fonctions de James Swan à la tête de la MONUSCO. Dans un contexte sécuritaire tendu dans l’Est de la RDC, les médias décryptent les défis majeurs qui attendent le successeur de Bintou Keita.

« James Swan face à l’équation congolaise », titre à sa une Le Potentiel.

En Bulgarie, les prix de l'immobilier n'en finissent pas de monter. La bulle ne concerne pas que Sofia, mais touche toutes les villes, Plovdiv, Varna ou Bourgas. Elle a commencé à se former au temps de la Covid, tandis que les prix ont été dopés par la perspective de l'entée dans l'euro.

- Articles / Courrier des Balkans, Economie, Bulgarie

The hackers aimed to "obtain military information, government information, or information about critical infrastructure," said the BfV

La Serbie veut produire des drones avec le géant israélien de l'armement Elbit Systems, malgré l'implication notoire de cette entreprise dans les crimes commis à Gaza. Les révélations de BIRN et Haaretz.

- Articles / Une - Diaporama, Serbie, Défense, police et justice, BIRN, Israël-Palestine

La Serbie veut produire des drones avec le géant israélien de l'armement Elbit Systems, malgré l'implication notoire de cette entreprise dans les crimes commis à Gaza. Les révélations de BIRN et Haaretz.

- Articles / Une - Diaporama, Serbie, Défense, police et justice, BIRN, Israël-Palestine

La ville de Kindu dans le Maniema accueille, du 8 au 10 avril, la première édition de la conférence dédiée à l'agriculture, l'environnement, le tourisme et l'eau. Cet événement réunit plus de 500 participants, nationaux et internationaux, avec comme objectif : exposer les richesses du Maniema pour attirer des investissements étrangers. 

Des ressortissants originaires du Mexique, du Vietnam ou du Yémen expulsés par les États-Unis vers le Soudan du Sud, la Guinée équatoriale ou encore l’Eswatini (ex-Swaziland)…Depuis début 2025, plusieurs accords ont été signés entre Washington et des pays tiers, notamment en Afrique, pour accueillir des ressortissants étrangers refoulés des États-Unis. Dernier en date : la République démocratique du Congo. Des accords controversés aux contours flous. Une « politique de pression » de l’administration Trump selon Romuald Sciora, directeur de l’observatoire politique et géostratégique des États-Unis de l’Iris (Institut des relations internationales et stratégiques).

Hostile à l’immigration, la Hongrie de Viktor Orban fait pourtant de plus en plus appel à des travailleurs étrangers pour faire tourner son économie. Une présence de plus en plus visible et un équilibre politique délicat qui ont relégué le sujet au second plan dans la campagne des élections législatives du 12 avril 2026. 

Also, in Wednesday’s edition: Iran, Rutte meets Trump, energy bills, ECR vs Orbán, Vance, horses

UN lobby with images of former UN secretaries-generals. Credit: United Nations
 
With the deadline for candidates’ nominations now passed, four names are officially in the frame. Prof. Felix Dodds and Chris Spence size up the candidates.

By Felix Dodds and Chris Spence
APEX, North Carolina / SAN FRANCISCO, California, Apr 8 2026 (IPS)

Let the race begin!
April 1st was the deadline for candidates to be nominated for Secretary-General. Was it a coincidence that the deadline was April Fool’s Day? Judging by the quality of the official candidates, we suspect so.

Before looking at the four official finalists, however, it’s worth examining the state of global politics, since this will certainly have an impact on the likely outcome.

We are currently living in one of the most unstable times since the Second World War. Multilateralism is under threat and the UN is facing significant political and financial turbulence. To its credit, the UN is attempting to address these challenges through the UN80 process, which is trying to repurpose it for the years ahead. However, as the world becoming increasingly multipolar.

As the previous global order, shaped largely by the U.S. and its western allies, recedes into the rear-view mirror, there will still be plenty for a new Secretary General to do. In short, she or he will inherit an institution and a staff that is unclear about exactly what their future role should be.

One critical issue when looking at the candidates is to understand that any of the Permanent Five members of the powerful UN Security Council (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the USA) can veto a candidate. Will any of them exercise that power? Recent history suggests they may. Russia in particular has recently increased its use of the veto, and the US and China have also done so on occasion, although the UK and France have not exercised their “rights” in several decades.

Do the P5 share the same outlook in terms of a future Secretary General? For better or worse, it looks increasingly like the “big five” are looking for more of a “Secretary” than a “General”. On that basis, finding common ground may be possible.

What’s more, there is a general expectation that the successful candidate will probably be from Latin America and the Caribbean. This is based on a general sense among UN member states that leadership rotates through the various regional groups and that it is Latin America and the Caribbean’s ‘turn’.

So far, there has been no public disagreement with this approach, although the regional rotations are considered more of a guideline than a hard rule, and there have been exceptions in the past. For instance, present UN Secretary General, António Guterres of Portugal, was appointed at a time when it was generally expected that the successful candidate would come from Eastern Europe.

Another consideration is gender. The last time a Secretary General was appointed, there was a strong push to appoint a woman. This did not happen, even though seven qualified women were nominated.

In the straw polls held prior to this hiring process, António Guterres was the only candidate who did not attract a veto. In part, this was because he was the most experienced candidate and the first former head of state to stand. However, calls for a woman leader are perhaps even stronger this time around, backed by a sense that such an appointment is long overdue.

So, who are the four official candidates, and what happens next?

The four candidates that have been nominated will each have a three-hour “hustings” on the 21st or 22nd of April, which will be available to view live on UN web TV.

The candidates are:

MICHELLE BACHELET
Nominated by Brazil and Mexico (although her own country, Chile, has withdrawn its support). Bachelet is a former President of Chile. Her party was the Socialist Party of Chile, which is a member of the Progressive Alliance. Her hustings appearance will be on April 21st 10am to 1pm Eastern time.

Advantages
Seniority: Bachelet has held the top job in Chile not once, but twice. Not only that, but she has also held two senior roles within the UN. Her experience has been at the highest level, and her networks are impressive. It is hard to imagine someone with a more appropriate mix of expertise.

UN Credentials: As a former head of both UN Women and the UN High Commission for Human Rights, Bachelet’s insider knowledge is considerable. She would know how to navigate the organization effectively from her first day in the job.

A Female Leader: Michelle Bachelet would be a strong candidate to break the glass ceiling and become the first female leader of the UN.

A Latina Leader: With the tradition that the UN Secretary-General is chosen by rotating through the various UN regions, Bachelet would likely satisfy those who believe it is Latin America and the Caribbean’s “turn” to nominate Guterres’ successor.

Proven Impact: There are few potential candidates who could point to such broad impact both as a national leader and during two separate stints in high-level UN roles, especially in the fields of human rights and supporting vulnerable populations. Given the unprecedented uncertainty swirling around international diplomacy these days, a figure with a reputation as a “doer” may be welcomed.

Disadvantages

Objections from the Big Five? Bachelet has made comments in the past, particularly during her time as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, that may not have been welcomed by specific UN member states. With her own country withdrawing its support for her, it may make difficulties for her candidacy.

In spite of Bachelet’s obvious credentials, if even one of the “Big Five” members of the Security Council shows sensitivity to her past human rights comments, Bachelet may have her work cut out to change their views. Still, her credentials are impressive and even opponents might have a hard time making a case against her.

RAFAEL GROSSI
Nominated by Argentina, Italy, and Paraguay, Grossi is the present Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency. He is an Argentine career diplomat. His hustings are on April 21st from 3pm to 6pm.

Advantages

Seniority: He has held the post of Argentina Ambassador to Austria, Belgium, Slovenia, Slovakia, and International Organizations in Vienna, and the permanent representative of the United Nations Office at Geneva. While not as politically senior as some of the competition, his track record in diplomacy is certainly strong.

UN Credentials: He is the current Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since December 3, 2019.

Proven Impact: Grossi has dealt with nuclear safety in conflict zones, doing shuttle diplomacy to maintain communications between warring parties. His work includes preventing nuclear accidents, particularly at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. He has also, through his “Atoms for Peace and Development”, modernized the IAEA, addressing issues of climate change, poverty, and fostering nuclear technology for development.

Latin Leader: Grossi also ticks the regional box, since he is from the Latin American and Caribbean Group.

Disadvantages

Objections from the Big Five? It’s hard to say. In spite of an exemplary record as a diplomat, in recent years Iranian officials accused him of aligning too closely with U.S. and Israeli interests. This is something Grossi’s supporters deny, and it is unclear how other in the P5, particularly China and Russia, might view the situation.

Not A Female Leader: Clearly not a woman, although it is unclear if this would be a deciding factor or deal breaker for the P5 under its current political leadership.

REBECCA GRYNSPAN
Grynspan was nominated by Costa Rica. She is the current Secretary-General of UNCTAD and a former Vice President of Costa Rica. She was a member of the National Liberation Party, which is a member of Socialist International. Hustings April 22nd, 10 am to 1 pm.

Advantages

Seniority: Grynspan may not have been a president or prime minister, but as Vice President of Costa Rica she climbed close to the summit of her country’s political mountain.

UN Experience: As the first female Secretary-General of UNCTAD, Grynspan has already broken one glass ceiling within the United Nations. She would also bring more than twenty years’ experience within the UN system, something that would surely be viewed as an asset during these uncertain times.

Additionally, she is familiar with the internal workings of the UN in Geneva, New York and across Latin America, giving her insights into decision making at both headquarters and regionally. This breadth of experience within the UN could be useful to any future UN leader.

Proven Impact: Grynspan is viewed as someone who can have an impact, a perception recognized by Forbes magazine, which named her among the 100 most powerful women in Central America four years running. She was also instrumental in the UN-brokered Black Sea Initiative, agreed by Russia, Türkiye, and Ukraine, that has allowed millions of tons of grain and other foodstuffs to leave Ukraine’s ports, playing an important role in global food security.

Connections: Grynspan has had many years of experience operating at the regional and global levels. Her networks may arguably not be as wide as some other candidates’, but would still provide a good platform for her to succeed.

A Female Leader: Grynspan offers the chance to break the glass ceiling and become the first female leader of the UN.

Climate and the Environment: Although Grynspan has strong credentials on trade, finance and development, it is only in recent years that she has taken a higher profile on climate change and some of the other big environmental issues of our time. Interestingly, this may be an advantage at this moment in time, since more some P5 members are now either lukewarm or hostile to candidates with a progressive track record on climate change.

Disadvantages

Peace and Security: Peace, security, and conflict resolution have not featured prominently in her background. If the UN Security Council members are looking for expertise in this area, might Grynspan’s relative lack of experience be considered a possible weakness?

Name Recognition: Although she is widely respected in her fields and across the UN, Grynspan may not have the same sort of name recognition among the public as some of the other candidates.

Objections from the Big Five? How might Grynspan’s political background play out in the current politically-charged atmosphere? Will her center-left credentials find a sympathetic audience among the current P5, or might some in the current conservative US administration object?

MACKY SALL
Nominated by Burundi, Sall is the former President of Senegal and Chairman of the African Union. Politically, his party (Alliance for the Republic) is a member of Liberal International. Hustings April 22nd, from 3pm to 6pm.

Advantages

Seniority: As the former President of Senegal (2012-2024) and former Prime Minister (2004-2007), he has the seniority that a UN Secretary General might well need these days.

Proven Impact: As Chairperson of the African Union, he succeeded in lobbying for the AU to join the G20. He has mediated in regional crises.

Objections from the Big Five? Sall is a center-right politician known to have forged positive ties with France’s Emmanual Macron. Will a right-wing administration in the US be drawn to a candidate also on the conservative side of the political spectrum?

Disadvantages

UN Credentials: Sall cannot claim strong UN credentials, but has been the chairperson of the African Union and a Special Envoy for the Paris Pact for the People and the Planet.

Not A Female Leader: While he would disappoint the many voices calling for the next UN head to be a woman, it’s unclear that would be a reason for any of the P5 to veto.

Not from Latin America: How important is it that the next Secretary-General be from the Latin American and Caribbean Group? At this point, it is hard to say if rotating around the regions “fairly” will be a big issue for members states. As noted earlier, it was not a deal breaker last time around.

A Late Entrant?

What if all four official candidates fail to win over the P5? We have seen in the past that new candidates appear after the nomination deadline. In fact, the process was only truly formalized as recently as 2015. Before that, the selection of a new UN leader was known for being opaque and characterized by back-room discussions and P5 deal making.

If consensus among the P5 cannot be reached, other candidates must emerge. Possibilities from the Latin American and Caribbean Group might include Ivonne Baki (Ecuador), Alicia Bárcena (Mexico), David Choquehuanca (Bolivia), María Fernanda Espinosa (Ecuador), Mia Mottley (Barbados), and Achim Steiner (Brazil).

There may also be interest from beyond the region, such as Amina Mohammed (Nigeria), who is the UN’s current Deputy Secretary-General. Additionally, Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria) and Vuk Jeremić (Serbia)—both former center-right European politicians with strong international credentials—have also been mentioned.

However, if the four official candidates all fail to find favor, then appointing a successor that all the P5 can agree on may take some deft diplomatic manoeuvring. At this point, the outcome of such haggling is pretty much anyone’s guess.

Prof. Felix Dodds and Chris Spence have been involved with UN policy making since the 1990s. They recently wrote Environmental Lobbying at the United Nations: A Guide to Protecting Our Planet (Routledge, 2025) and co-edited Heroes of Environmental Diplomacy: Profiles in Courage (Routledge, 2022).

IPS UN Bureau

 

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