Rebeca Grynspan, the former vice-president of Costa Rica, emerged as an early front runner to be the next United Nations secretary general on Thursday, as the Security Council began the selection process, with a first “straw poll” held behind closed doors to evaluate support for candidates vying for the role at the embattled world body.
Antonio Guterres, the current UN chief, is set to complete his second five-year term on the final day of 2026, leaving the high-profile role open for a new leader whose first day would be January 1, 2027.
The four women and three men currently in the running for Guterres’ replacement are Grynspan, Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Olara Otunnu of Uganda, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana and Macky Sall of Senegal.
Grynspan received 10 votes in her favour while former Guyanese foreign minister Rodrigues-Birkett came in second with nine votes and Grossi, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, received seven.
The 15-member Security Council is responsible for picking the next UN chief before submitting its recommendation to the General Assembly for approval.