Poll: Costa Rica’s Grynspan Leads UN Chief Race

Rebeca Grynspan topped Wednesday's fifth informal U.N. Security Council straw poll for secretary-general with nine encourage votes, six discourage and zero no opinion, a diplomatic source said. It was the fourth time she has led five polls since July, down from 10 encourage, three discourage and two no opinion on Sept. 29. Rafael Grossi received six encourage, seven discourage and two no opinion. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett received five encourage, nine discourage and one no opinion. Seven candidates — four women and three men — seek to succeed António Guterres, 77, of Portugal, who ends his second term Dec. 31, 2026. Grynspan, 70, stepped aside from UNCTAD after just over four years to campaign. Tradition suggests the post should rotate to Latin America. A nominee needs at least nine of 15 Security Council votes and no veto from the five permanent members. Straw polls are anonymous, so it is unknown whether any permanent member discouraged her. Color-coded balloting that reveals vetoes could come before month's end, diplomatic sources said. One source noted that in 1995 Kofi Annan was not a candidate and appeared one day before he was elected.