Brief
UN straw poll shows no candidate has backing of all five permanent Security Council members
The secret poll used red ballots to flag P5 votes, leaving the field open for new contenders.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On Friday, Oct. 17, a United Nations Security Council straw poll revealed that none of the seven candidates for the next secretary‑general secured the support of all five permanent members – the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France – according to the Independent. The poll, the first to use red ballots to identify votes from the P5, asked council members to "encourage", "discourage" or express "no opinion" on each candidate.
Three candidates led the field: Rebeca Grynspan, the UN trade chief from Costa Rica; Rafael Grossi, the UN nuclear chief from Argentina; and Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, Guyana’s UN ambassador. Each received two red "discourage" votes, as reported by two diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity. Grynspan remained at the top with nine "encourage" votes.
The United States, under the Trump administration, has signaled dissatisfaction with all contenders, citing a desire for radical reform and potential withdrawal from several UN agencies. Yet officials, also speaking anonymously, said the US position was still being refined and would be clarified in the coming days. US Ambassador Mike Waltz told reporters after the closed meeting that the UN needs "strong, energetic leadership" focused on peace and security, adding that the institution has become "everything to everyone" and needs to be put "on a diet" to return to its core mission.
Waltz also noted the traditional regional rotation, which this cycle favors Latin America, and the pressure to appoint a woman, who would become the first female UN secretary‑general. He said, "If the best candidate is a woman, we would welcome that — but we really just need the best candidate." The poll’s results leave the door open for new candidates if the current field cannot win over the veto‑holding powers.
Key facts
- None of the seven candidates received support from all five permanent Security Council members in the straw poll. (independent.co.uk)
- Rebeca Grynspan led with nine "encourage" votes, while each of the top three candidates received two red "discourage" votes. (independent.co.uk)
- The poll introduced red ballots to identify votes from the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France. (independent.co.uk)
- US Ambassador Mike Waltz called for "strong, energetic leadership" and emphasized a focus on peace and security. (independent.co.uk)
- There is pressure to select a woman, who would be the first female UN secretary‑general. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Latest vote shows no candidate for UN chief has the required support of all five key powers”
