Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett leads the second informal UN Security Council straw poll for the next secretary-general, with eight “encourage” votes, as Israel’s Danny Danon demands reforms to restore the organization’s credibility.
The United Nations Security Council’s second informal straw poll for the next secretary-general has positioned Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett as the frontrunner, with eight “encourage” votes, according to results shared by the council’s president, Denmark’s Christina Markus Lassen. The poll, held on August 21, 2026, marks a pivotal moment in the selection process for the successor to António Guterres, whose term ends December 31, 2026 aljazeera.com.
A Tight Race Amid Security Council Scrutiny
Rodrigues-Birkett, Guyana’s ambassador to the UN, secured eight “encourage” votes, three “discourage” votes, and four “no opinion” votes, according to the council’s confidential tally. She was closely followed by Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan and Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, each with seven “encourage” votes. Grynspan, who led the first poll in July with 10 “encourage” votes, now faces a tougher path after receiving four “discourage” votes in this round i24news.tv.
Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, received six “discourage” votes, complicating his bid despite matching Grynspan’s positive support. Other candidates include former Senegalese president Macky Sall, Ecuador’s Ivonne Baki, and former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, who each received fewer endorsements. The council’s 15 members, including the five permanent veto-wielding nations, use the straw polls to gauge support before a formal recommendation to the UN General Assembly rfi.fr.
Israel’s Demands and the UN’s Credibility Crisis
Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, said it was a test for the future of the United Nations, criticizing its perceived bias and failure to address conflicts like the Israel-Hamas war. Danon stated that the next Secretary-General must restore the credibility the UN has lost, not perpetuate the failures that brought it to this point, emphasizing Israel’s evaluation of candidates based on their stance on terrorism and antisemitism i24news.tv.
The UN’s credibility has been under scrutiny amid its inability to prevent crises, including the war in Gaza and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Security Council’s informal polls, while non-binding, are critical in narrowing the field before a formal vote rfi.fr.
The Struggle for Regional Representation
The selection process has sparked debate over regional representation, with the UN tradition of rotating the secretary-general role among continents. However, African candidates like Macky Sall and Olara Otunnu face challenges, as the council’s voting patterns often favor candidates from other regions rfi.fr.
Despite the focus on regional balance, the Security Council’s informal process remains opaque. Diplomats note that the ballots of permanent members turn a different color after several rounds, revealing potential vetoes without disclosing which country cast them. This mechanism, introduced in the 1980s, has drawn criticism for its lack of transparency but remains a key part of the selection process rfi.fr.
What Comes Next for the UN’s Leadership
With the next straw poll expected under Denmark’s Security Council presidency, the race remains fluid. Candidates like Grynspan and Grossi may consolidate support, while others, such as Ecuador’s Ivonne Baki, face steep odds after receiving no “encourage” votes. The final recommendation to the UN General Assembly could come by December, with the winner assuming office in January 2027 aa.com.tr.
As the UN grapples with its role in a fragmented global order, the selection of its next leader will test its ability to adapt. With Israel’s Danon pushing for reform and the Security Council’s opaque process under scrutiny, the outcome could shape the organization’s relevance for decades rfi.fr.
