UN seeks Guterres' successor: Security Council holds first vote

The UN Security Council held its first closed straw poll on candidates for the post of organization's Secretary-General. The new UN chief will replace António Guterres, whose second five-year term expires on December 31, 2026.

The voting took place behind closed doors and was informal in nature. Each of the 15 Security Council members could express support for a candidate, vote against them or abstain. Such polls allow to assess the balance of forces and gradually narrow down the field of contenders.

The official results of the vote were not released. However, according to El País, citing diplomatic leaks, Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan received the highest support. Ten Security Council members reportedly voted for her, one voted against, and four abstained.

Former Guyanese Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett came in second, according to this data. She received nine votes in support, two against and four abstentions.

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi from Argentina, came in third. His candidacy was supported by seven Security Council members, two voted against, and six abstained.

Given the vote was held anonymously, it is not yet known how the five permanent members – the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom – rated the candidates. Each of them can veto a candidate during the formal voting stage.

In subsequent rounds, differently colored ballots may be used. This procedure allows determining whether a no-vote comes from a permanent member of the Security Council, thus signaling a possible veto.

To be recommended, a candidate must secure at least nine votes of the 15 members, without a veto from any of the five permanent members. Then a single recommendation is sent to the General Assembly for approval. According to the Charter, the Assembly formally appoints the secretary-general on the recommendation of the Security Council.

The results of this first poll may signal an edge for candidates from Latin America and the Caribbean. The two female contenders that proved the frontrunners in the unofficial tally are both women. In the history of the UN, there has never been a female secretary-general.

Does an initial vote not determine the winner. The Security Council might meet for a few more straw polls and states may put up additional competition. The crucial talks among the permanent members lie ahead.

Ahead of the closed talks, the candidates presented their visions to the member states and took part in informal dialogues. The official race to select a secretary-general that was to happen came with a joint letter calling for candidates from the presidents of the General Assembly and Security Council back early November of 2025.

The eventual secretary-general steps into the role on 1 January 2027. The General secretary is had for a period of five years can be elected for an additional term.

Sources: South China Morning Post, UN, El País