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UN Security Council holds first straw poll to pick next secretary-general

Rebeca Grynspan led the initial vote with 10 support signals, while Macky Sall and others trailed after the behind-closed-doors poll.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Emerging Markets

The UN Security Council has begun the process to select a successor to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, using a first behind-closed-doors straw poll to gauge support for candidates, according to SCMP Economy.

Rebeca Grynspan, the former vice-president of Costa Rica, emerged as an early front runner, receiving 10 votes in her favour. Former Guyanese foreign minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett placed second with nine votes, and Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, received seven.

Seven other candidates are also in the running, including Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Olara Otunnu of Uganda, and Macky Sall of Senegal, among others.

Guterres is set to complete his second five-year term on the final day of 2026, and the next secretary-general would take office on January 1, 2027.

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