Baerbock elected president of UN General Assembly

Former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was elected president of the 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly on Monday, in an unusual vote requested by Russia.

The president of the Assembly is elected each year for one year, but this election of the single candidate, allocated by geographical rotation, generally takes place by acclamation.

This year, Russia requested a vote, diplomatic sources told AFP. During a mid-May debate with Baerbock, Russia clearly expressed its opposition to the German candidate.

" Baerbock has repeatedly demonstrated her incompetence, extreme biases, and lack of knowledge of the basic principles of diplomacy," said Russian deputy ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy at the time. "The decision by the authorities in Berlin to push her candidacy [...], instead of the previously announced candidate who was suitable for everyone, is nothing less than spitting in the face of the world organization," he added.

While the rotating presidency of the Assembly for the 80th session falls to the group of Western and other states (Turkey, Israel, United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia), Germany proposed diplomat Helga Schmid in September. But it changed its mind in March by proposing Baerbock, who was leaving her post as head of diplomacy after the February legislative elections.

In the secret ballot vote, Baerbock received 167 votes in her favor on Monday, 14 states abstained, and 7 voted for Helga Schmid.

"We are living in difficult times, walking a tightrope of uncertainty. But the birth of the United Nations 80 years ago reminds us that we have gone through other challenging periods. It is up to us to tackle these challenges," said Baerbock after her election. "I will lead a trust-based dialogue with all member states. My door will always be open," promised the future president, who will take office in September. She will replace Cameroonian Philemon Yang.