United Nations holds fourth vote for Secretary-General successor

The United Nations Security Council is conducting its fourth round of informal consultations to determine a successor to António Guterres for the role of Secretary-General. The term is set to begin on January 1, 2027.

Key candidates currently in the race include Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, and Olara Otunnu of Uganda. The candidacy of former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet was officially withdrawn on September 21.

In the previous round of voting, Grynspan led with nine votes of support, followed by Rodrigues-Birkett with eight, while Grossi and Otunnu each received five. To be successfully recommended, a candidate must secure at least nine favorable votes and avoid a veto from any of the five permanent members of the Security Council: the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom.

While no permanent member has publicly opposed Grynspan, reports suggest the United States may oppose Rodrigues-Birkett. The process is expected to become more transparent in October when Greece assumes the rotating presidency of the Council, introducing colored ballots that distinguish votes cast by permanent members from those of elected members.