UNITED NATIONS: The race to become the next UN chief gathers pace on Friday with a second straw poll that could spring surprises and prompt some candidates to end their bid to become the world’s top diplomat.
Portugal’s former prime minister Antonio Guterres took the lead in the first informal vote last month to select the next secretary-general, followed closely by Danilo Turk, the former president of Slovenia.
Diplomats however warn there could still be an upset in the race to succeed Ban Ki-moon, with 11 candidates now in the fray.
“I think this is going to be a process that will take some time,” said Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin. “It’s not going to be resolved on Friday.”
During the closed-door meeting, the 15 members of the council will be asked to indicate by ballot whether they “encourage”, “discourage” or have “no opinion” of a candidate.
Guterres came out on top during the first round with 12 “encourage” votes and three “no opinion,” but some diplomats say it’s uncertain whether he can secure such a high score in the second round.
The results are not announced, but the council president communicates them to the candidates to give them an indication of the level of support in the council.
Some candidates privately said the results of the second straw poll will be key in their decision to stay in the race.
Former Croatian foreign minister Vesna Pusic announced on Thursday that she was pulling out, after receiving the lowest score in the first round.
Pusic said in a letter announcing her withdrawal that it “became clear after the first round of voting of the UN Security Council that the selection has not gone in my direction.”
A pro-European politician who was outspoken about gender equality and LGBT rights, Pusic picked up 11 “discourage” votes, two “encourage” and two “no opinion.”
