None of the seven candidates for UN Secretary-General received the support of all permanent members of the Security Council
Another preliminary vote will take place next week. The nomination of new candidates is also possible.
During a preliminary vote on October 16, each of the seven contenders for the post of UN Secretary-General faced objections from at least one permanent member of the UN Security Council. This was reported by "Novaya Gazeta Europa" citing AP.
The right of veto is held by the USA, Russia, China, Great Britain, and France.
Rebecca Grynspan from Costa Rica, Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development, maintained the first place. She received nine votes in favor and five against, including two from permanent members of the Security Council.
The head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi from Argentina, and the representative of Guyana to the UN, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, also received two opposing votes each from permanent members. They are also named among the most likely candidates.
According to American media reports, Washington opposes all seven contenders for the post of Secretary-General.
This was the sixth preliminary round. Each of the 15 members of the Security Council could support a candidate, oppose, or abstain from expressing an opinion.
For the first time, different ballots were used for permanent and non-permanent members, which allowed the positions of countries with veto power to be identified.
A negative vote at this stage does not yet constitute a formal veto. Countries can change their position in subsequent rounds.
According to AP, another preliminary vote will take place next week. The nomination of new candidates is also possible.
To receive a recommendation from the Security Council, a contender must garner at least nine votes and not face a veto from permanent members. After this, the candidacy is approved by the UN General Assembly.
The second five-year term of the incumbent Secretary-General, António Guterres, ends on December 31, 2026.
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