No Clear Front-Runner Emerges in Third UN Leader Straw Poll
In the UN Security Council's third secret straw poll for the next secretary-general, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica leads with nine 'encourage' votes but also five 'discourage' and one 'no opinion,' with no final consensus yet as candidates vie for a post that requires nine encourages and no veto from a permanent member; other contenders such as Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett and Rafael Grossi remain in the mix, Ivonne A-Baki has entered, and former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn (Sept. 19 update). A fourth straw poll could follow after the General Assembly's high-level week, but the process remains opaque and no front-runner has emerged.
