Former Australian leader Kevin Rudd wants nomination for UN top job

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is making a late bid for the top United Nations job, after months of cross-crossing the world in low-key lobbying for government support. Rudd had requested that the Australian government take the crucial step of formally nominating him to succeed U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, whose second five-year term ends in December. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that decision would be made by Australia’s next cabinet, which will be named Monday following July 2 elections and sworn in as early as Tuesday. Rudd, the New York-based president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, said he understood his nomination might not be among the government’s highest priorities after barely scraping back into power in unexpectedly close election.

Kevin was never happy just running Australia — he believed he was always destined to run the world.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton

Rudd was elected prime minister in 2007, but was dumped by his own center-left Labor Party in 2010. He was dubbed Recycled Rudd when he regained the control of the chaotic and divided government weeks before it lost elections in 2013. The 58-year-old has been canvasing diplomatic support around the world for months, although Bishop on Monday became the first to confirm his plans to be a candidate. But several lawmakers in Australia’s conservative government are openly hostile toward his bid. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said in April. “Kevin’s ego makes Donald Trump’s look like a rounding error.”

Kevin Rudd