Rodrigues Birkett leads UN straw poll for secretary-general
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Guyana's Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett received eight 'encourage' votes in the UN Security Council's second straw poll on Friday, placing her ahead of seven other candidates for UN secretary-general. Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi each got seven 'encourage' votes. The council aims to reach consensus before Antonio Guterres' term ends on December 31.
Key Facts
- Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett received eight 'encourage' votes, three 'discourage' votes, and four 'no opinion' votes in the second straw poll.
- Rebeca Grynspan and Rafael Grossi each received seven 'encourage' votes; Grossi got six 'discourage' votes and Grynspan four.
- The first straw poll in July was led by Rebeca Grynspan.
- A candidate needs at least nine votes in a formal UNSC vote to advance, and any permanent member can veto.
- Antonio Guterres' second five-year term ends on December 31.
Straw Poll Results
The UN Security Council conducted its second non-binding straw poll on Friday to select the next UN secretary-general. Guyana's Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett emerged as the frontrunner with eight 'encourage' votes, three 'discourage' votes, and four 'no opinion' votes. Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi of Argentina each collected seven 'encourage' votes. Grossi received six 'discourage' votes, compared with Grynspan's four. Grynspan had led the field after the first round of balloting in July.
Candidate Field
The other declared candidates are former Senegalese President Macky Sall, former UNGA President Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu, and Ecuadorian diplomat Ivonne A-Baki. Current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has held the position since 2017, and his second five-year term ends on December 31. No secretary-general has served more than two terms, though there is no formal limit.
Selection Process
The secret straw polls gauge support among the council's 15 members and narrow the field before a formal recommendation goes to the UN General Assembly. A candidate needs at least nine votes in a formal UNSC vote to advance, and any of the five permanent members—the US, China, France, Russia, and the UK—can veto a nominee. In later rounds, permanent members use a different colour ballot to reveal if a candidate received a 'discourage' vote from one of them.
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Rodrigues Birkett leads UN straw poll for secretary-general
