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UN SG race: Rodrigues-Birkett leads as veto tensions rise

Updated 31 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-27 14:31 UTC → 2026-09-05 04:13 UTC · added removed

UN SG race: Rodrigues-Birkett leads second round of voting as veto tensions rise

The United Nations Security Council selection process for a successor to António Guterres, whose term ends on 31 December 2026, Guterres has entered a decisive high-stakes phase. The candidate field is notable for being the first to feature a female-majority slate, including Michelle Bachelet, María Fernanda Espinosa, Rebeca Grynspan, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, and Ivonne A-Baki. Following an initial straw poll on 30 July 2026, where Rebeca Grynspan emerged as the early frontrunner, the Council conducted a second round two rounds of informal, anonymous indicative voting on 21 August 2026. In this round, informal voting, three primary frontrunners have emerged: Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan, and Argentina’s Rafael Mariano Grossi. Rodrigues-Birkett took currently leads the lead with race, having secured eight votes of ‘encouragement’, three of ‘discouragement’, and four of ‘no opinion’, ‘encouragement’ in the most recent round, placing her just one vote shy of the nine required for a formal recommendation. Rebeca Grynspan and Rafael Mariano Grossi followed with seven votes of ‘encouragement’ each. Grossi faced six votes of ‘discouragement’, while Grynspan received four. Macky Sall of Senegal rose to fourth place with six votes of ‘encouragement’, though he faced seven ‘discouragement’ mentions, resulting in a negative net balance of support. Olara Otunnu of Uganda also saw progress, increasing his support to five endorsements. As The selection is heavily shaped by the veto power of 26 August 2026, the race has intensified with three primary frontrunners: Rodrigues-Birkett, Grynspan, and Grossi. Grossi five permanent Security Council members. Geopolitical friction is currently navigating complex diplomatic dynamics; impacting several candidacies: the United States reportedly opposes Michelle Bachelet due to her perceived closeness to China, while he has expressed optimism Russia and emphasized the United Kingdom have expressed reservations regarding Grossi. Grossi’s standing remains complicated by his ability to maintain professional relations history with Russia, he has faced criticism from Moscow regarding Iran’s nuclear program and previous comments on the UN’s relevance. In Washington, Grossi has sought to balance these tensions by praising UN agencies while acknowledging with Moscow regarding the organization’s challenges Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Other candidates remaining in resolving global conflicts. As the race continues, Senegal field include María Fernanda Espinosa, Macky Sall, Olara Otunnu, and Uganda have reportedly entered discreet discussions to explore Ivonne Baki. The process is moving faster than previous transitions, with the possibility of a unified African candidate conclusion in as few as four rounds. A final selection, involving a Security Council recommendation and a General Assembly vote, is expected to strengthen conclude between September and October 2026, with the continent’s influence. new Secretary-General assuming office on 1 January 2027.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-05 04:13 UTC UN SG race: Rodrigues-Birkett leads as veto tensions rise
  2. 2026-08-27 14:31 UTC UN SG race: Rodrigues-Birkett leads second round of voting
  3. 2026-08-26 16:31 UTC UN SG race: Rodrigues-Birkett leads second round of voting
  4. 2026-08-22 07:25 UTC UN SG race: Rodrigues-Birkett leads second round of voting
  5. 2026-08-22 00:13 UTC UN SG race: Rodrigues-Birkett leads second round of voting
  6. 2026-08-21 19:21 UTC UN SG race: Rodrigues-Birkett leads second round of voting
  7. 2026-08-21 18:49 UTC UN SG race: Rodrigues-Birkett leads second round of voting
  8. 2026-08-21 06:03 UTC UN SG race: Second round of voting underway
  9. 2026-08-20 13:54 UTC UN SG race: Grynspan leads, female-majority slate noted
  10. 2026-08-09 09:03 UTC UN SG race: Grynspan leads, female‑majority slate noted
  11. 2026-08-06 10:41 UTC UN SG race: Grynspan leads, female‑majority slate noted
  12. 2026-08-03 22:26 UTC UN SG race: Grynspan leads, female‑majority slate noted
  13. 2026-08-03 20:42 UTC UN SG race: Grynspan leads amid broader candidate field
  14. 2026-08-03 07:52 UTC UN SG race: Grynspan leads amid broader candidate field
  15. 2026-07-31 20:56 UTC UN SG race: Grynspan leads straw poll
  16. 2026-07-31 19:45 UTC UN SG race: Grynspan leads straw poll
  17. 2026-07-31 19:33 UTC UN SG race: Grynspan leads straw poll
  18. 2026-07-31 14:28 UTC UN SG race: poll results and candidate responses
  19. 2026-07-31 06:42 UTC UN SG race: poll details and candidate statements
  20. 2026-07-31 05:01 UTC UN SG race: first straw poll and candidate reactions
  21. 2026-07-30 23:39 UTC UN SG race: straw poll results
  22. 2026-07-30 23:13 UTC UN SG race: straw poll results
  23. 2026-07-30 21:57 UTC UN SG race: informal vote begins
  24. 2026-07-30 10:36 UTC UN SG race: informal vote begins
  25. 2026-07-30 08:15 UTC UN SG race: informal vote begins
  26. 2026-07-29 23:26 UTC UN SG race: Straw poll set for July 28
  27. 2026-07-29 22:52 UTC UN SG race: July 2026 Straw poll & candidate updates
  28. 2026-07-29 21:15 UTC UN SG race: July 2026 Straw poll & candidate updates
  29. 2026-07-29 03:19 UTC UN SG race: July 2026 Straw poll & candidate updates
  30. 2026-07-28 22:30 UTC UN SG race: August 2026 Regional Dialogue
  31. 2026-07-28 21:27 UTC UN SG race: candidate campaign events
  32. 2026-07-28 12:36 UTC UN SG race: candidates Grossi, Grynspan announced

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