anointment

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)The act of anointing with oil or other liquids.
2. (countable, figuratively, uncountable)An official nomination.

   “French Socialists gathered recently in the Loire Valley for a weekend of debate that turned into the virtual anointment of Anne Hidalgo, the charismatic and divisive mayor of Paris, as their candidate for next year’s presidential election.”