The first informal United Nations Security Council straw poll to identify a successor to UN Secretary-General António Guterres has placed Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica in the early lead, with Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana emerging as the second strongest contender.
According to the results of the initial non-binding secret ballot, Grynspan received 10 “encourage” votes, followed by Rodrigues-Birkett with 9, while Rafael Grossi of Argentina secured 7 “encourage” votes.
The straw poll marks the beginning of the selection process and does not determine the final outcome. Additional rounds of voting are expected in the coming weeks, including decisive ballots that will indicate whether any of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States—intend to exercise their veto power.
To be recommended to the United Nations General Assembly, the successful candidate must secure broad support within the Security Council while avoiding a veto from any permanent member.
Uganda’s Ambassador Olara Otunnu, who was nominated by the Government of Uganda for the position, is also among the candidates seeking to succeed Guterres. However, he did not emerge among the leading contenders in the first round of voting.
The informal straw polls are designed to gauge support for candidates before formal voting begins, with the next UN Secretary-General expected to assume office after António Guterres’ term expires at the end of the year.
