Election for UN Secretary-General: Tense second round of secret ballot.
The race for the top leadership position at the United Nations is entering its final stages. The Security Council is preparing to hold a second round of exploratory voting to assess the approval ratings of the candidates. Diplomats are holding their breath, waiting to see who will emerge victorious to succeed Antonio Guterres.
According to AFP, the most powerful body of the United Nations, the Security Council, will meet on August 21st. The purpose is to conduct a new poll to elect the UN Secretary-General. This move aims to gauge the growing support for the candidates, all hoping they will lead the organization through its current difficult period.
Candidate Rebeca Grynspan from Costa Rica has taken the lead after the first informal round of voting last month. In this round, 15 council members quietly evaluated the candidates. This group included the five countries that hold veto power.
In addition, this year's election for Secretary-General brings together many strong contenders. Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Director of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, is also a candidate. Other contenders include Michelle Bachelet (Chile) and Maria Fernanda Espinosa (Ecuador). Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (Guyana), Olara Otunnu (Uganda), and Macky Sall (Senegal) are also running.
After the first round concluded, Ivonne A-Baki of Ecuador officially announced her entry into the race. The ultimate winner will succeed Antonio Guterres. The current Secretary-General will complete his second five-year term on December 31, 2026.
Daniel Forti, an expert from the International Crisis Group, believes that the first round of polls only laid the groundwork. The second round could provide a clearer direction for the entire campaign.
Diplomats predict that the vote count will be more volatile than in July. Most observers are watching to see if the leading candidates can consolidate their positions. There is also a high possibility they will drop in the rankings. It is highly unlikely that any candidate will gain a decisive lead after the August 21st vote.
Mr. Forti said that the veto powers might wait a while longer. Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States usually express their views at a later stage. Meanwhile, new candidates are still likely to emerge.
Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, also did not rule out this possibility. Nebenzia hypothesized a potential deadlock. If the current candidates do not garner sufficient support, the situation will change. In that case, the council might see the participation of entirely new candidates.
A candidate can secure the nine affirmative votes needed from the 15 members of the Security Council. However, they must still avoid a veto from the five permanent members of the Security Council.
