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UN leadership poll reveals permanent-member opposition to all seven candidates
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Colour-coded ballots reveal potential veto obstacles
All seven candidates for UN secretary-general received at least two discouragement votes from permanent Security Council members in the October 16 informal poll, Reuters reported. Rebeca Grynspan led with nine encouragement votes, but two permanent members opposed her candidacy. This sixth poll first distinguished permanent members’ ballots from those of elected members. Leading the tally does not secure appointment. A formal Council recommendation requires at least nine affirmative votes and no permanent-member veto; the General Assembly then appoints the secretary-general. Security Council Report explains that informal discouragement votes can change. They indicate potential vetoes without constituting formal vetoes or eliminating candidates.
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