UN Security Council Conducts Second Straw Poll for Next Secretary-General

The United Nations Security Council convened on Friday for a second informal straw poll to evaluate candidates aiming to replace Antonio Guterres as the next Secretary-General. Guterres's current term concludes on December 31, 2026.

During the initial poll last month, Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan emerged as the leading contender among a diverse group of nominees. Other prominent candidates include:

• Argentina's Rafael Grossi, head of the UN nuclear watchdog
• Chile's Michelle Bachelet
• Ecuador's Maria Fernanda Espinosa
• Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
• Uganda's Olara Otunnu
• Senegal's Macky Sall
• New entrant Ecuador's Ivonne A-Baki

Denmark's UN ambassador, Christina Lassen, who holds the Council's rotating presidency, confirmed that candidates would receive results through their member states' permanent representatives. The Council is still determining when to hold the next straw poll.

Ambassador Zenon Ngay Mukongo of the Democratic Republic of Congo remarked that it remains premature to reach a consensus. Analysts suggest the five permanent Security Council members—Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States—may withhold their veto preferences until later stages. Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, indicated the possibility of new candidates emerging if current nominees fail to gain traction.

Poll Mechanics and Regional Considerations

The straw poll involves anonymous voting where members classify candidates as "encourage," "discourage," or "no opinion." This process helps identify frontrunners and those likely to withdraw, although withdrawal is voluntary. In later rounds, the ballots of the permanent members are color-coded to signal potential vetoes without disclosing which country cast them.

Traditionally, the Secretary-General role rotates among regions, positioning Latin American candidates favorably in this cycle, although African candidates like Sall and Otunnu remain in contention.

International Crisis Group expert Daniel Forti noted some candidates might conclude their campaigns have run their course following the recent vote.