In brief
In a closed‑door vote on Nov. 5, the Security Council under Latvia's presidency held its eighth straw poll to gauge support for candidates for the next UN secretary‑general. Xinhua reports that Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica is the front‑runner, while other leading contenders included former Ecuadorian ministers and the current head of the IAEA. The poll results will not be released, and a candidate must secure at least nine “encouraged” votes with no “discouraged” votes from any of the five permanent members, with the eventual nominee slated to take office on Jan. 1, 2027.
The United Nations Security Council conducted its eighth straw poll on potential successors to Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres on Thursday, November 5, during its November session.
Led by Latvia’s ambassador Sanita Pavluta‑Deslandes, who holds the rotating presidency, the closed‑door ballots were held without public release of results.
Sanita Pavluta‑Deslandes told reporters after the vote "The eighth round of straw polls has taken place."
Xinhua reports that Rebeca Grynspan, a former vice‑president of Costa Rica, emerged as the front‑runner among the eight candidates.
Other contenders in the poll included former Ecuadorian minister Ivonne A‑Baki, former UN General Assembly president Maria Fernanda Espinosa, IAEA director‑general Rafael Grossi, former UAE diplomat Lana Nusseibeh, and former Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Hadi Sinirlioglu.
Security Council straw polls are informal closed‑door ballots used to determine which candidate the Council will recommend to the General Assembly; a candidate must receive at least nine "encouraged" votes and no "discouraged" votes from any of the five permanent members.
The next Secretary‑General is expected to assume office on January 1, 2027, following the conclusion of Guterres’ current term.
