Security Council Vote Produces No Clear Winner
Former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan remained the leading candidate to become the next United Nations secretary-general after an informal Security Council ballot on October 16. She received nine encouraging votes, five discouraging votes and one expression of no opinion. Two opposing votes came from permanent members of the Council, leaving her short of the agreement necessary for selection.
The sixth informal ballot was the first to distinguish the votes of permanent and elected Council members through color-coded ballots. Its results showed that none of the candidates had overcome opposition from the states with veto power.
The Candidates and Selection Process
The Security Council must recommend a nominee with at least nine favorable votes and no opposing vote from China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom or the United States. The General Assembly then appoints the secretary-general on the Council’s recommendation.
Guyana’s UN ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett received eight encouraging votes, while International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi secured similar support. Both also encountered resistance among permanent members. António Guterres’ second term expires on December 31, and the United Nations has never been led by a woman.
Implications for Multilateral Leadership
The divided vote could prolong negotiations or encourage new candidates to enter the contest. Any successor will inherit an institution confronting armed conflicts, budgetary pressures and disagreements among major powers over the UN’s role.
Grynspan has publicly advocated a more proactive organization with fewer overlapping responsibilities and less bureaucracy. Whether she can turn her narrow lead into a formal nomination will depend on negotiations among the Council’s permanent members rather than the number of encouraging votes alone.
Reference
Slodkowski, A. (2026, October 16). Grynspan holds lead for next UN chief as race enters decisive stage. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/grynspan-holds-lead-next-un-chief-race-enters-decisive-stage-2026-10-16/