On June 2, during the UN General Assembly session, the long-awaited vote took place, resulting in Annalena Baerbock, the former Federal Foreign Minister of Germany, being elected President of the UN General Assembly
This decision marked a new milestone in the European politician's diplomatic career and attracted significant public and international discussion. It is important to note that Baerbock's candidacy was supported by 167 member states, making her position unambiguous within the context of global diplomatic procedures. Additionally, no votes against her were cast among the global community participants. At the same time, the voting process was conducted secretly—this format was chosen at the insistence of one UN member, and sources, in particular, report that Russia was the initiator of this decision. The Russian side clearly expressed its negative attitude toward Baerbock's candidacy, openly accusing her of "overt bias." This is primarily explained by her firm positions regarding Russia and its destructive actions against Ukraine. As the German Foreign Minister, Baerbock consistently criticized Moscow's aggressive policies, describing them as blatant violations of international stability and security. She repeatedly advocated for stronger international sanctions against Russia and for supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Such positions provoke sharp opposition from Moscow, which, in turn, accuses Baerbock of "prejudice" and a "biased" approach toward the Russian government. Attention should also be drawn to the political context: Baerbock's nomination came ahead of the German parliamentary elections and, as it turned out, sparked noticeable criticism among some diplomats and politicians. Many regarded this as a kind of demonstration of Baerbock's determination, as she left her ministerial position with hopes of new opportunities on the global stage. In her brief but significant speech after her election, she thanked the participants for their trust and expressed her desire to fulfill her duties as an “honest mediator” for all UN member states, aiming to ensure an equal and balanced diplomatic course during her presidency. It is also worth mentioning that Baerbock previously declined to lead the Green Party's parliamentary faction in Germany for personal reasons. However, the fact that her candidacy was considered for the position of Chair of the UN General Assembly generated considerable interest and foresees new diplomatic challenges for German and European politics as a whole. At the same time, this event is yet another testament to Baerbock's growing role on the international stage and underscores the complex diplomatic game surrounding candidacies that have strategic significance for global security and stability. Thus, the election of Annalena Baerbock as President of the UN General Assembly not only symbolizes recognition of her diplomatic experience and political positions but also ushers in a new phase in the processes of international cooperation. Despite internal and external political tensions, she intends to promote objectivity and equality in the organization's work, setting an example of responsible and balanced leadership on the world stage.