German veteran diplomat slams Baerbock's UNGA nomination as “shameless”

The potential nomination of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock for the chairmanship of the UN General Assembly has sparked strong criticism, with former Munich Security Conference head Christoph Heusgen calling it "shameless."

According to sources cited by German media, the German government plans to nominate Baerbock for the prestigious position for the 2025-2026 term, per Caliber.Az.

The move comes despite the German Foreign Ministry initially expressing its intention to nominate Helga Schmid, the former OSCE secretary-general and seasoned diplomat.

Heusgen, a former key figure in German diplomacy, sharply criticized the nomination, saying, “It is shameless to replace Germany's best diplomat with international experience with an outdated model.”

The German Foreign Office informed Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s office and other ministries about the nomination on March 17. If confirmed, Baerbock, 44, will take on a largely ceremonial role, with duties such as overseeing plenary sessions. While the UN General Assembly presidency lacks the executive powers of the UN Secretary-General, it remains a highly respected diplomatic position.

Baerbock, who has served as Germany’s foreign minister since 2021, will soon leave office as her Green Party exits the government. In the wake of February's elections, the centre-right CDU, led by Friedrich Merz, is set to take power, forming a coalition government with the Social Democrats (SPD).

Raised on a farm near Hanover, Baerbock's political activism began early, participating in anti-nuclear protests in the 1980s with her parents. She also competed in trampoline championships, winning three bronze medals in Germany, an experience she credits with teaching her bravery. Baerbock holds a master's degree in public international law from the London School of Economics and made history in 2021 as Germany's first female foreign minister when the Greens joined a coalition with the SPD and FDP.

The current president of the UN General Assembly is Philemon Yang, former Prime Minister of Cameroon.

By Tamilla Hasanova