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Bachelet Withdraws From U.N. Secretary‑General Race

Loss of support in a Security Council straw poll deprived her of the backing needed to be recommended to the General Assembly before the January 1, 2027 handover.

Overview

  • Bachelet announced she was ending her campaign after Friday's Security Council straw poll left her with one 'encourage' vote, 11 'discourage' votes and three 'no opinion' responses.
  • Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan led that third informal poll with nine 'encourage' votes, while seven other candidates remain in the running.
  • The informal straw polls are secret and do not show which votes come from any of the five permanent Council members who can veto a recommendation.
  • Chile withdrew formal sponsorship of Bachelet's bid in March, though she thanked Brazil and Mexico for continuing to back her candidacy publicly.
  • To be recommended to the General Assembly a candidate must secure at least nine Security Council votes and avoid a P5 veto, and the next secretary‑general is set to take office on January 1, 2027.