Guyana’s Birkett Overtakes Grynspan in Second UN Security Council Straw Poll
The UN Security Council held its second informal straw poll on August 22, 2026, with Guyana’s Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett emerging as the frontrunner. She received eight 'encourage' votes, narrowly edging out Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan and Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, who each secured seven. The race to succeed António Guterres, whose term ends December 31, involves eight candidates and requires consensus among the 15 council members, including avoiding vetoes from permanent powers.
Key points
- Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett of Guyana leads the second straw poll with eight 'encourage' votes, three 'discourage', and four 'no opinion' votes.
- Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica and Rafael Grossi of Argentina are tied for second place with seven 'encourage' votes each.
- Grossi received six 'discourage' votes, while Grynspan received four, indicating differing levels of opposition among council members.
- The eight candidates include Macky Sall, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Michelle Bachelet, Olara Otunnu, and Ivonne A-Baki.
- A candidate needs at least nine votes in a formal vote and must avoid vetoes from any of the five permanent Security Council members.
- António Guterres’ second term ends on December 31, 2026, and no secretary-general has served more than two terms.
Background
The first straw poll in July saw Grynspan lead with 10 'encourage' votes, while Birkett followed closely with 9. The race began in late July with seven candidates, expanding to eight after Ecuador’s Ivonne A-Baki entered the contest. Previous coverage highlighted the lack of a clear frontrunner and the expectation of multiple rounds through the summer and fall.
How outlets are covering it
Al Jazeera emphasizes Birkett’s narrow lead and the council’s move toward consensus, noting the formal recommendation process. France 24 provides a detailed profile of all eight candidates, highlighting their backgrounds and specific diplomatic achievements, such as Grynspan’s role in the Black Sea Grain Initiative and Bachelet’s human rights record. Both sources agree on the vote counts but differ in focus: Al Jazeera centers on the polling outcome, while France 24 contextualizes the candidates’ individual platforms and political support.
Why it matters
The selection of the next UN Secretary-General is critical for the organization’s credibility and ability to address global crises, including conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. The straw polls reveal shifting alliances among Security Council members, with permanent powers potentially using vetoes to block candidates. The outcome will shape the UN’s approach to peacekeeping, development, and human rights in a divided global landscape.
What to watch
Further straw polls are expected to narrow the field, with later rounds potentially revealing 'discourage' votes from permanent members using distinct ballot colors. A formal recommendation will be sent to the UN General Assembly for ratification, likely before Guterres’ term ends on December 31, 2026.
- Guyana’s Rodrigues Birkett leads informal poll in race to be next UN leader Al Jazeera
- Who are the eight candidates running to succeed Antonio Guterres as UN chief? France 24
- UN Secretary-General poll cuts the chaff The Economist
- Guyanese ex-FM Birkett leads UN chief race; Costa Rica’s Grynspan falls to 2nd place The Times of Israel
- Explainer: Who are the candidates running for UN secretary-general? Reuters
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