Guyana's Rodrigues Birkett Leads 2nd UN Straw Poll With 8 Encourages
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Aug 22
Guyana's Rodrigues Birkett Leads 2nd UN Straw Poll With 8 Encourages
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Aug 22
Summary
Eight 'encourage' votes put Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett atop the UN Security Council's second informal ballot for the next secretary-general, ahead of seven other declared candidates.
Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi of Argentina followed with seven encourages each, but Grossi drew six discourages and Grynspan four; Grynspan had led the first round in July.
The secret straw polls test support among the council's 15 members before a formal recommendation to the General Assembly, where a candidate needs at least nine Security Council votes to advance.
Later rounds will matter more because the five permanent members use distinct ballots that can signal a potential veto, a key hurdle before Antonio Guterres's second term ends on Dec. 31.