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UN Security Council straw poll: Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett leads race
The United Nations Security Council conducted its second round of non-binding straw polls on August 21, 2026, to gauge support for candidates seeking to succeed António Guterres as Secretary-General. Guterres is set to complete his second term on December 31, 2026.
Guyana’s Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett emerged as the frontrunner in this round, receiving eight 'encourage' votes, three 'discourage' votes, and four 'no opinion' votes. She moved into the lead after the first poll in July, which was led by Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan.
Rebeca Grynspan and Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, the current head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, both received seven 'encourage' votes. However, Grossi faced six 'discourage' votes, while Grynspan received four. Other candidates in the eight-person race include Macky Sall, María Fernanda Espinosa, Michelle Bachelet, Olara Otunnu, and Ivonne A-Baki.
To advance to a formal recommendation for the General Assembly, a candidate must secure at least nine votes from the 15-member Security Council and avoid a veto from any of the five permanent members: the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom.
Entities
Antonio Guterres · Carole Rodriguez Birkett · Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett · Rafael Mariano Grossi · Rebeca Grynspan · UN Security Council · United Nations · United Nations Security Council
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 14 SOURCES] Rafael Mariano Grossi of Argentina received seven 'encourage' votes. www.businessdaily.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr · www.tanea.gr · cyprus-mail.com · inewsguyana.com · +9 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica received seven 'encourage' votes. www.businessdaily.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr · www.tanea.gr · cyprus-mail.com · inewsguyana.com · +8 more
- [● 23 SOURCES] The informal poll was conducted by the 15 members of the UN Security Council. cyprus-mail.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com · totalnewsagency.com · www.businessdaily.gr · mendozatoday.com.ar · +16 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Ivonne Baki received zero 'encourage' votes in the poll. cyprus-mail.com · www.businessdaily.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr · www.pressafrik.com · www.tanea.gr · +3 more
- [● 28 SOURCES] António Guterres will complete his second five-year term on December 31, 2026. cyprus-mail.com · www.monumental.co.cr · www.pressafrik.com · thevoicenewsmagazine.com · www.businessdaily.gr · +21 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett intends to act as a neutral broker if elected. inewsguyana.com
- [● 18 SOURCES] Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett received eight 'encourage' votes in the second informal UN Security Council poll. www.businessdaily.gr · www.naftemporiki.gr · www.tanea.gr · cyprus-mail.com · inewsguyana.com · +13 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Eight candidates are competing for the position of UN Secretary-General. www.businessdaily.gr · cyprus-mail.com · inewsguyana.com · www.monumental.co.cr · www.naftemporiki.gr · +6 more
- [● 29 SOURCES] Rafael Mariano Grossi received seven 'encourage' votes, six 'discourage' votes, and two 'no opinion' votes. thevoicenewsmagazine.com · totalnewsagency.com · www.businessdaily.gr · mendozatoday.com.ar · www.nexofin.com · +23 more
- [● 29 SOURCES] Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett received eight 'encourage' votes, three 'discourage' votes, and four no opinion votes in the second informal poll. thevoicenewsmagazine.com · totalnewsagency.com · www.businessdaily.gr · mendozatoday.com.ar · www.nexofin.com · +23 more
- [● 29 SOURCES] Rebeca Grynspan received seven 'encourage' votes, four 'discourage' votes, and four 'no opinion' votes. thevoicenewsmagazine.com · totalnewsagency.com · www.businessdaily.gr · mendozatoday.com.ar · www.nexofin.com · +23 more
- [● 21 SOURCES] The second informal UN Security Council straw poll for the next secretary-general was held on August 21, 2026. time.news · www.sentv.info · www.labrujula24.com · dpi.gov.gy · 961today.com · +16 more