United Nations Secretary-General Succession Stalls Amid U.S.-China-Russia Differences... Seven Candidates in Tight Race

[Financial News] The selection of a successor to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term ends at the end of this year, remains fiercely contested.
The Guardian and other outlets reported on the 21st that former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan led the third informal preference poll, or straw poll, conducted by the UNSC on the 18th local time. She received nine 'encourage' votes among the 15 council members, along with five 'discourage' votes and one 'no opinion' vote.
Carolyn Rodrigues-Burkett, Guyana's ambassador to the UN, followed with eight 'encourage' votes, six 'discourage' votes and one 'no opinion' vote. Former Vice President Grynspan and Ambassador Rodrigues-Burkett also battled for the lead in the first and second polls.
Because both front-runners received a significant number of opposing votes, no clear favorite has emerged.
To be formally recommended as a candidate for secretary-general, a nominee must receive support from at least nine of the 15 UNSC members and secure the consent of all five permanent members—the United States, China, the United Kingdom, France and Russia.
Because the three informal polls were conducted anonymously, it has not been confirmed whether any of the countries that cast opposing votes were permanent members.
Nevertheless, given that the United States, China, Russia and other countries that have actively engaged in UN affairs have used their veto power, a prevailing view is that none of the current candidates may be acceptable to all five countries.
On the 17th, a U.S. State Department official also publicly pressured the candidates, saying, "The candidate for UN secretary-general must return the UN to its original purpose and publicly promise the changes we demand."
For this reason, a new candidate who has emerged after prior consultations and compromise among the permanent members of the UNSC could enter the race.
Buenos Aires Times reported that Argentine-born Rafael Mariano Grossi received five 'encourage' votes and eight 'discourage' votes, adding, "Some speculate that a compromise candidate could suddenly be put forward at the request of the five countries."
The candidates also include Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Ugandan-born Olara Otunnu, a former UN under-secretary-general; and Macky Sall, former president of Senegal.
The race initially had eight candidates, but the number fell to seven after former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet withdrew after receiving only one 'encourage' vote in the third poll.

[email protected] Lee Seok-woo, International Affairs Correspondent Reporter