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Michelle Bachelet ends UN secretary-general bid following low straw poll support

Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet withdrew after securing one encourage vote in a Security Council poll.

The short version

  • Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet announced her withdrawal from the selection process for the next UN secretary-general in an Instagram video on Saturday.[Al Jazeera]
  • Her decision follows the UN Security Council's third informal straw poll, where she received one encourage vote, 11 discourage votes, and three no opinion votes.[Al Jazeera]
  • Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan currently leads the remaining field of seven candidates, while current UN Secretary-General António Guterres finishes his term on December 31.[The Guardian · Al Jazeera]

Key facts

  • Michelle Bachelet announced her decision to withdraw from the UN secretary-general selection process in an Instagram video on Saturday.[The Guardian · Al Jazeera]
  • In the UN Security Council's third informal straw poll, Bachelet received one encourage vote, 11 discourage votes, and three no opinion votes.[Al Jazeera]
  • Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan led the third straw poll with nine encourage votes.[Al Jazeera]
  • Chile nominated Bachelet in February, supported by Brazil and Mexico.[Al Jazeera]
  • António Guterres's term as UN secretary-general ends on December 31.[The Guardian]

What remains uncertain

  • It remains possible for additional candidates to join the race to succeed António Guterres.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.