The race for the next United Nations secretary-general has taken a notable turn as Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile, has withdrawn her candidacy. Her decision comes after a recent informal straw poll conducted by the UN Security Council indicated a decline in support.
Bachelet, aged 74, was in the running to replace António Guterres, whose tenure as the UN secretary-general is set to conclude on December 31. Known for her strong advocacy for multilateralism and international law, Bachelet had previously served two terms as Chile’s president and was the UN human rights chief.
Her withdrawal narrows the field to seven candidates, although the possibility remains for new entrants to join the contest. The latest straw poll suggests Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan is currently the frontrunner.
The process to select the next secretary-general is rigorous, with the Security Council eventually recommending a candidate to the UN General Assembly. The assembly, comprising 193 members, will then formally elect the successor.