Guyana’s Birkett leads second UN secretary-general straw poll

New York, United States. Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett narrowly led an informal United Nations Security Council poll on Friday to select the next secretary-general, according to diplomats and other sources close to the process. Argentina’s Rafael Grossi remained in third place.

Second round of voting

The vote among the Security Council’s 15 members was the second straw poll, following a first round last month in which former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan was the front runner.

In the secret ballots, members are asked whether they “encourage”, “discourage” or have “no opinion” on each candidate. Multiple rounds are expected.

Birkett received eight encourage votes, one fewer than in the previous poll, along with three discourage votes and four no opinions.

Grynspan received seven encourage votes, down from 10 in the first round, with four discourage votes and four no opinions.

Grossi received seven encourage votes, unchanged from the previous poll, as well as six discourage votes, compared with two previously, and two no opinions.

Eight candidates compete

Eight candidates are seeking to succeed Antonio Guterres, who will step down at the end of the year after two five-year terms.

The next secretary-general will face the task of revitalising an organisation described as being in crisis and of declining stature, while facing pressure for further reform of what critics call a bloated and costly bureaucracy.

Ecuadorean diplomat Ivonne Baki, who entered the race this week, received no encourage votes, eight discourage votes and seven no opinions. Baki has previously said she had US support and publicly acknowledged her friendship with President Donald Trump.