Michelle Bachelet admits UN Secretary-General bid is unlikely to succeed

Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has publicly acknowledged that her candidacy for UN Secretary-General is unlikely to succeed. Speaking at a forum organized by Universidad Diego Portales, Bachelet stated, “I know I will not be Secretary-General,” describing the realization as a “relief.”

Her candidacy has faced significant setbacks following informal straw polls conducted by the UN Security Council. In a recent August poll, Bachelet reportedly received only two votes of support, placing her near the bottom of the eight candidates in contention. This follows a decline from her fourth-place position in a July poll.

Bachelet attributed the difficult political landscape to a structural strategic struggle between major powers, noting that the “soft power” of the United States has declined while China’s has grown. She also criticized the erosion of multilateralism, citing the influence of the Trump administration.

While the governments of Brazil and Mexico have maintained their support for her bid, the current Chilean administration under José Antonio Kast has withdrawn its backing. Despite the poor polling results, her supporters, including former Chilean Chancellor Haroldo Muñoz, maintain that her candidacy remains a matter of principle regarding international law and human rights.