The Norwegian Nobel Committee revealed Thursday that 287 candidates are being evaluated for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, with President Donald Trump expected to be included among the nominees.
Committee Secretary Kristian Berg Harpviken disclosed that this year’s submissions include 208 individual candidates and 79 organizations, representing a significant number of fresh nominations compared to the previous year.
“Since I am new in the job, one of the things that has to some extent surprised me is how much renewal there is from year to year on the list,” Harpviken explained during an interview. He assumed his role in January 2025.
Even as global conflicts increase and international collaboration faces challenges, Harpviken emphasized the continued importance of the peace award.
“The Peace Prize is even more important in a period like the one we’re living in,” he stated. “There is as much good work, if not more, than ever.”
TRUMP’S NOMINATION SUGGESTED BUT UNCONFIRMED
Officials from Cambodia, Israel and Pakistan have publicly announced their intention to nominate Trump for this year’s honor. If submitted, these nominations would have occurred during spring and summer 2025, meeting the January 31 deadline requirements.
However, verification remains impossible since nomination records stay confidential for five decades, and Harpviken refused to confirm Trump’s inclusion on Thursday.
The committee clarifies that receiving a nomination does not constitute an endorsement from the award organization.
Beyond committee members, thousands of individuals globally hold nomination privileges, including government officials, parliament members, current heads of state, university professors in history, social sciences, law and philosophy, plus previous Nobel Peace Prize winners.
Betting websites feature numerous potential winners, including Yulia Navalnaya, widow of deceased Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, Pope Leo, and Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms volunteer aid organization.
WORRIES OVER IMPRISONED IRANIAN WINNER’S CONDITION
Harpviken expressed serious alarm regarding 2023 Peace Prize recipient Narges Mohammadi’s deteriorating health following a heart attack while incarcerated in Iran.
Advocates warned Wednesday that the Iranian human rights activist faces life-threatening circumstances.
“Her sister was able to visit her in prison yesterday and the reports coming out after that are actually quite alarming as to her health condition,” Harpviken noted.
“We see there is a lot of international pressure now. So we hope that the Iranian authorities do pay attention to that and release her so that she can have proper medical treatment.”
ADDITIONAL POTENTIAL CANDIDATES
Other possible contenders include Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and Danish Parliament member Aaja Chemnitz, who represents Greenland, according to the Norwegian legislator who put forward both names.
“Together they have worked relentlessly to build trust and to secure a peaceful development of the Arctic region over many years,” explained nominator Lars Haltbrekken.
Greenland has attracted heightened attention recently due to Trump’s persistent efforts to purchase the territory from Denmark, a NATO partner.
The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize winner will be revealed October 9, with the awards ceremony scheduled for December 10.
Venezuela’s Maria Corina Machado received last year’s prize.
