UN Security Council holds fifth vote for Guterres’ successor — Anadolu Agency

The UN Security Council in New York on October 7 held the fifth informal indicative voting round in the process of selecting a successor to Secretary-General António Guterres. As Anadolu Agency reports, the results will be conveyed to the candidates through the permanent representatives of the states that nominated them.

Voting results

Greece’s representative to the UN, Aglaia Balta, who holds the Security Council presidency in October, confirmed the completion of the fifth round. She also said that the President of the UN General Assembly would be informed about the vote. Balta did not name a date for the next round.

According to information received from diplomatic sources, Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan led the vote, receiving nine votes in favor and six against. Rafael Grossi received six votes in favor, seven against and two abstentions. Carolina Rodríguez came third with five votes in favor, nine against and one abstention.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

Other candidates and procedure

Former Senegalese President Macky Sall received five votes in favor and 10 against, while Ugandan politician Olara Otunnu received three in favor and 12 against. Ecuadorian diplomat María Fernanda Espinosa received three votes in favor, nine against and three abstentions, while Ecuadorian politician Yvonne Baki received no votes in favor, 14 against and one abstention.

The secret indicative votes are intended to show the level of support among the 15 Security Council members and may narrow the field of candidates ahead of a formal recommendation to the General Assembly. To secure the necessary support, a candidate needs at least nine votes in the Security Council, while any of the five permanent members — the United States, China, France, Russia and the United Kingdom — can block a candidacy using its veto power. Guterres’ term ends on December 31.