“Thor’s Hammer” in Baerbock’s hands: What can UN member states expect from her?

Annalena Baerbock has pledged to serve both large and small member states as President of the United Nations General Assembly and to keep her doors open to all. However, based on her political track record, commentators speaking to Kosovo Online express doubts about her neutrality, particularly on issues related to Russia. They suggest that any more radical resolutions placed on the General Assembly’s agenda with her support are unlikely to make it past that stage, having little chance of clearing the Security Council and gaining binding force.

Written by: Dusica Radeka Djordjevic

The former German Foreign Minister will assume the gavel—often referred to metaphorically as “Thor’s hammer”—on 9 September for a one-year term as President of the UN General Assembly.

During her term, preparations will begin for the selection of the next UN Secretary-General, as António Guterres’ second mandate expires on 31 December 2026. The General Assembly will also elect new non-permanent members of the Security Council for the 2027–2028 term, a process in which former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has already announced Germany’s candidacy.

While the role of the General Assembly President is primarily ceremonial and procedural, Baerbock could, with the support of a sufficient number of countries, bring certain issues onto the agenda.

However, setting the agenda does not necessarily mean she will succeed in becoming the “unifying force” she aspires to be. Reaching consensus among 193 countries is no easy task—as illustrated by the lack of unity this spring when the Assembly failed to unanimously declare an International Day of Hope, with one vote against (the United States) and four abstentions.

Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade, Stefan Surlic, noted that Baerbock’s role will be ceremonial in nature, but underscored her significant political ambition.

“Her voice will carry weight if she has solid backing from Berlin. Her election reignites a long-standing discussion about Germany’s place in the Security Council, as it is not a permanent member. There have been talks about rotating membership or allocating a seat to the European Union. Although her role is largely symbolic, Baerbock will likely seek to position herself as the voice of Germany and use her mandate to push for reform of the current UN system,” Surlic told Kosovo Online.

He emphasized that Baerbock is expected to push the United Nations away from neutrality and compromise, aiming instead to portray Russia as the aggressor.

“Russia’s reaction—strongly opposing her appointment and insisting on a secret vote in hopes some states would quietly vote against her—is understandable. Nevertheless, she prevailed,” he said.

Surlic added that UN procedures are strict, but Baerbock will still have the authority to set priorities. He anticipates she will focus on the Balkans.

“If certain issues are framed as malignant influences from Russia, China, or others, she will likely be highly sensitive to developments in the Balkans. Germany’s position on Milorad Dodik is well known, as is its support for existing institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I expect she will welcome any diplomatic initiative on these topics and elevate them as priorities,” Surlic noted.

Historian Vukan Markovic described Baerbock’s election as “curious,” given the widespread consensus in the international community that she performed poorly as Germany’s foreign minister.

The major challenges Germany faced during her tenure, coinciding with Olaf Scholz’s chancellorship, and the recent electoral defeat her party suffered, suggest, according to Markovic, that German citizens themselves were not particularly satisfied with her leadership.

Markovic emphasized that the President of the General Assembly has no decisive authority over major geopolitical events or decisions within the UN system. Her influence is limited to organizing the Assembly’s agenda and setting the order of topics.

“Every binding UN decision is adopted by the Security Council. Over the past year, we have seen several General Assembly resolutions on Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza—none of which reached the Security Council or were blocked there by the veto of one of the five permanent members. If Baerbock attempts to push more radical resolutions, they are likely to meet the same fate—either blocked in the Security Council or sidelined before they even get there if the major powers are unwilling to place them on the agenda,” Markovic explained.

He added that while many support reforming the UN to include major Global South countries in the Security Council, such decisions will not be made by Baerbock—a fact he believes is ultimately for the best, considering her “uninspiring” term as foreign minister.

“In the event of any controversial resolution, she can expect at least two vetoes—and based on recent voting patterns, possibly even an American one. So we’re safe from the consequences of her incompetence,” Markovic concluded.

Political analyst from Pristina, Artan Muhaxhiri, offered a more favorable assessment, describing Baerbock’s appointment as welcome news.

“She was very active during her tenure as foreign minister, even in our region. This is a positive development, as I believe she has a genuine political interest in dialogue and will do everything within her power to advance it. We know that the United Nations is a slow and complex institution, but if a key political figure is determined to have a positive impact, it can be done. So I see her election as good news,” Muhaxhiri told Kosovo Online.

Baerbock was elected President of the 80th session of the General Assembly on Monday. She was the sole candidate. According to diplomatic sources, Russia insisted that the vote be conducted by secret ballot. Out of 193 member states, 167 voted in favor, while 14 abstained.