New York, 17 October. In a straw poll in the UN Security Council none of the seven candidates for secretary-general won the support of all five permanent members with veto power, the Associated Press reported, citing diplomats (RBC, BES.media).
According to AP, the three front-runners each received two votes against: UN trade chief Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi of Argentina and Guyana's UN ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (RBC, BES.media). US media, according to AFP, reported that Washington opposes all seven candidates; US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz did not comment on the reports and said the United States wants "the best candidate" for the post (BES.media).
The lack of a decision leaves room for new candidates; diplomats mention Nickolay Mladenov, UAE minister Lana Nusseibeh and OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu among possible entrants (BES.media). The next straw poll is scheduled for next week (BES.media).
Background: António Guterres completes his second five-year term on 31 December 2026. To pass the Security Council selection, a candidate needs at least 9 of 15 votes and no veto from any of the five powers, after which the General Assembly confirms the appointment (BES.media). Earlier this year Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, commenting on rumours that he might run, said his experience at the UN was "more than enough" and that he has big plans for the country's development (BES.media).
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Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
