# UN Secretary-General race – Bachelet campaign > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/un-secretarygeneral-race-bachelet-campaign > Updated: 2026-09-05T18:54:21.000Z. Sources: 49. Developments: 9. Following a second informal Security Council poll in late August that saw her drop to seventh place with only two votes of support, former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet resumed her international tour with a visit to Mexico. While Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum initially reaffirmed support, she later indicated that the campaign’s success must be reviewed. Bachelet also met with Brazilian President Lula da Silva to bolster her bid. Her candidacy faces mounting challenges, including potential opposition from the United States and Russia due to her former role as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and perceived proximity to China. Additionally, domestic support in Chile has shifted; the administration of President José Antonio Kast has withdrawn its official backing. In early September, Bachelet publicly acknowledged the difficult outlook, stating at a Universidad Diego Portales forum, “I know I will not be Secretary-General,” a realization she described as a “relief.” She characterized the international climate as a “structural strategic struggle,” noting a decline in the “soft power” of the United States and an increase in the soft power of China. She also criticized the erosion of multilateralism. Despite the poor polling, Bachelet intends to continue diplomatic efforts, supported by the governments of Brazil and Mexico. Supporters, including former Chilean Chancellor Haroldo Muñoz, maintain that her candidacy remains a matter of principle regarding international law and human rights. The selection process to succeed António Guterres is expected to conclude before the end of 2026. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-05: Chilean leaders navigate UN roles amid Bachelet's candidacy President José Antonio Kast prepares for his first UN General Assembly speech, while Michelle Bachelet maintains her UN Secretary-General candidacy despite low support in recent informal Security Council polls. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chilean-leaders-navigate-un-roles-amid-bachelets-candidacy ### 2026-09-02: Michelle Bachelet admits UN Secretary-General bid is unlikely to succeed Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet admitted her UN Secretary-General candidacy is unlikely to succeed following poor results in Security Council informal polls. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michelle-bachelet-continues-un-secretary-general-candidacy ### 2026-08-30: Michelle Bachelet travels to Brazil to meet Lula regarding UN bid Michelle Bachelet is in Brazil to meet with President Lula da Silva to bolster her UN Secretary-General bid following disappointing results in recent UN Security Council informal votes. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michelle-bachelet-travels-to-brazil-to-meet-lula-regarding-un-bid ### 2026-08-27: Michelle Bachelet faces uncertainty in UN Secretary-General bid Michelle Bachelet’s bid for UN Secretary-General faces uncertainty after a weak showing in a Security Council straw poll, prompting Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to call for a review of her chances. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michelle-bachelet-faces-uncertainty-in-un-secretary-general-bid ### 2026-08-24: Michelle Bachelet visits Mexico to bolster UN Secretary-General bid Michelle Bachelet travels to Mexico to discuss her UN Secretary-General candidacy after a poor showing in a recent Security Council informal vote. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michelle-bachelet-faces-setback-in-un-secretary-general-bid ### 2026-08-20: Ivonne Baki and Michelle Bachelet campaign for UN Secretary-General Ivonne Baki and Michelle Bachelet are campaigning for the UN Secretary-General position, emphasizing peace, diplomatic independence, and the need to bridge global divides without double standards. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ivonne-baki-and-michelle-bachelet-campaign-for-un-secretary-general ### 2026-08-03: Chile's ex‑ambassador Valdés blames President Kast for Bachelet's UN SG bid slip Ex‑ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdés blames President José Antonio Kast for Michelle Bachelet’s fourth‑place finish in the UN Security Council’s informal Secretary‑General vote, calling it a diplomatic disgrace. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chiles-exambassador-valds-blames-president-kast-for-bachelets-un-sg-bid-slip ### 2026-07-31: UN Secretary‑General race sees Chilean ex‑foreign ministers warn of weak backing for Bachelet In the UN Security Council's first informal poll for the 2027 Secretary‑General, Michelle Bachelet placed fourth; Chilean ex‑foreign ministers say lack of government support hurts her bid. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/un-secretarygeneral-race-sees-chilean-exforeign-ministers-warn-of-weak-backing-for-bachelet ### 2026-07-18: Michelle Bachelet campaigns in Liberia and Somalia for UN chief seat Former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet toured Liberia and Somalia, meeting presidents Joseph Boakai and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to win votes from the UN Security Council in her bid to become the next UN chief 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michelle-bachelet-campaigns-in-liberia-and-somalia-for-un-chief-seat --- Cite as: UN Secretary-General race – Bachelet campaign. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/un-secretarygeneral-race-bachelet-campaign