Michelle Bachelet exits UN chief race after low poll support
Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn from the race for United Nations secretary-general following poor poll results. Former Senegalese President Macky Sall also pulled out of the competition one day after an informal Security Council meeting. Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica currently leads the field. While Bachelet is no longer seeking the UN post, opposition parties in Chile highlight her continued political relevance, citing poll data that positions her as the leading figure for the center-left.
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- ✓ Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn from the race for United Nations secretary-general following poor poll results.
- ✓ Former Senegalese President Macky Sall also pulled out of the competition one day after an informal Security Council meeting.
- ✓ Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica currently leads the field.
What changed
Macky Sall has withdrawn from the race and Chilean opposition parties have commented on Bachelet's standing in domestic polls.
Live updates
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Michelle Bachelet exits UN race as Macky Sall also withdraws
Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn from the race for United Nations secretary-general following poor poll results. Former Senegalese President Macky Sall also pulled out of the competition one day after an informal Security Council meeting. Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica currently leads the field. While Bachelet is no longer seeking the UN post, opposition parties in Chile highlight her continued political relevance, citing poll data that positions her as the leading figure for the center-left.
Why it matters
The UN secretary-general leads the world's primary international diplomatic body. Bachelet's withdrawal shifts the balance of candidates and may influence her future political trajectory in Chile.
Still unconfirmed
- Former Senegalese President Macky Sall has pulled out of the race to become the next United Nations Secretary General.
- Polls position Michelle Bachelet as the principal figure of the center-left in Chile.
- Rebeca Grynspan leads the race for the UN secretary-general post.
- Michelle Bachelet may run for a third presidential term in Chile in 2029.
What to watch next
- Official confirmation of the final candidate list for the UN secretary-general post
- Updated polling data for the Chilean 2029 presidential race
confidence 70%Sources used for this update (3)
- www.aljazeera.com — History | Today's latest from Al Jazeera
- thejournalnigeria.com — Macky Sall Withdraws From UN Secretary-General Race
- www.diarioeldia.cl — Partidos de oposición destacan vigencia política de Michelle ...
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Michelle Bachelet exits UN chief race
Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn her bid for the United Nations secretary-general post due to low poll support. Costa Rican official Rebeca Grynspan now leads the race. Bachelet may run for a third presidential term in Chile in 2029.
Why it matters
The selection window for the UN secretary-general post is closing as 2026 ends. Bachelet previously served as President of Chile from 2006 to 2010 and 2014 to 2018. Her withdrawal affects the race dynamics.
What is confirmed
- Michelle Bachelet served as President of Chile from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2014 to 2018.
- Bachelet is a member of the Socialist Party of Chile.
Still unconfirmed
- Bachelet may run for a third presidential term in Chile in 2029.
What to watch next
- Rebeca Grynspan's progress in the UN secretary-general race
- Bachelet's future political plans
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (5)
- en.wikipedia.org — Michelle Bachelet - Wikipedia
- www.meganoticias.cl — Últimas noticias de Michelle Bachelet - Meganoticias
- elpais.com — Bachelet aparece como la candidata presidencial favorita de ...
- www.aljazeera.com — Mexico | Mexico | Today's latest from Al Jazeera
- www.youtube.com — Conectados - Michelle Bachelet's UN candidacy falls through ...
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Michelle Bachelet exits UN race, weighs third Chile presidential run
Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn her bid for the United Nations secretary-general post following low poll support and claims that foreign authorities opposed her ideas. With the selection window closing as 2026 enters its final two months, Costa Rican official Rebeca Grynspan leads the race after securing nine encourage votes and six discourage votes in the latest Security Council straw poll. Following her failed UN candidacy, Bachelet has left open the possibility of running for a third presidential term in Chile during the 2029 elections.
Why it matters
The United Nations Security Council is moving through a series of informal, closed-door straw polls to choose the next secretary-general as the selection window narrows. Rebeca Grynspan, currently leading the field, has previously served as Costa Rica's vice-president and leads the UN Conference on Trade and Development. Meanwhile, Bachelet turns her political focus back toward domestic affairs in Chile.
What is confirmed
- Michelle Bachelet withdrew her candidacy for the UN secretary-general position due to low polling support.
- Rebeca Grynspan is the frontrunner in the UN secretary-general race after leading four of the five informal straw polls held by the Security Council.
- Michelle Bachelet stated she could compete again for the presidency of Chile in the 2029 elections.
Still unconfirmed
- A foreign chancellor and friend told Michelle Bachelet that authorities in that country would not accept her as UN secretary-general due to her ideas.
What to watch next
- Further informal straw polls by the UN Security Council as the selection window narrows.
- Official announcements regarding Michelle Bachelet entering the 2029 Chilean presidential race.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (3)
- global.chinadaily.com.cn — UN chief race remains open as selection window narrows
- latinus.us — Michelle Bachelet plantea competir por un tercer mandato ...
- mvsnoticias.com — Abre Bachelet la puerta a buscar un tercer mandato ...
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Michelle Bachelet exits UN chief race, considers Chilean comeback
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn her candidacy for the UN secretary-general position due to low polling support. Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica is now the frontrunner. Bachelet remains active in politics, potentially eyeing a third presidential term in Chile. This development shifts focus to Grynspan's candidacy and Bachelet's future in Chilean politics.
Why it matters
The UN secretary-general election is a critical process that determines the global organization's leadership. Bachelet's withdrawal impacts the race's dynamics, as she was a prominent contender. Her potential return to Chilean politics could influence the country's leadership landscape. The election process involves informal Security Council polls to gauge support for candidates.
What is confirmed
- Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn her candidacy for the UN secretary-general position.
- Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica is the frontrunner to become the 10th UN secretary-general.
- Bachelet will not retire from politics and may consider a third presidential term in Chile.
Still unconfirmed
- Bachelet is open to competing for a third mandate in Chile.
What to watch next
- Rebeca Grynspan's progress in the UN secretary-general election process
- Michelle Bachelet's official decision on a potential third presidential term in Chile
- The next round of informal Security Council polls for the UN secretary-general position
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (7)
- passblue.com — Will Powerful Countries Back the UN Chief the World Needs?
- www.youtube.com — Zach and Michelle - YouTube
- www.aljazeera.com — Women | Today's latest from Al Jazeera
- www.infobae.com — Bachelet, dispuesta a concurrir por un tercer mandato en ...
- www.pressafrik.com — Le Chili retire son soutien à Michelle Bachelet pour le poste ...
- www.infobae.com — Michelle Bachelet no descarta competir por un tercer mandato ...
- www.latercera.com — Bachelet se abre a nueva candidatura y fija reunión con ...
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Rebeca Grynspan leads UN chief race as Michelle Bachelet vows political return
Former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan is the frontrunner to become the 10th UN secretary-general following an informal Security Council poll. Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn her candidacy after low polling support. Speaking at a mass event in Santiago, Bachelet stated she will not retire from politics, telling those who thought she would go home that "this is not going to happen." While Grynspan holds a narrow lead, Argentina's Rafael Grossi saw the largest jump in the fourth round of straw polls.
Why it matters
The selection of the UN secretary-general involves a series of informal straw polls by the Security Council to find a consensus candidate. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has used Bachelet's exit to call for UN reforms to create a more agile organization focused on human rights and pacification.
What is confirmed
- Rebeca Grynspan is the frontrunner in the race for UN secretary-general according to an informal Security Council poll.
- Michelle Bachelet withdrew her candidacy for the UN leadership role.
- Bachelet told a crowd in Santiago, "A quienes pensaban que después de esto me iba a ir para la casa, les tengo una mala noticia: esto no va a pasar".
Still unconfirmed
- Rafael Grossi recorded the biggest jump of the fourth round of voting.
- Bachelet was vetoed because of her beliefs in democracy, multilateralism, and human rights.
What to watch next
- Official results of the next Security Council straw poll.
- Formal nomination of a candidate for the 10th UN secretary-general.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (7)
- kaieteurnewsonline.com — Costa Rica's Grynspan narrowly ahead in race to be next UN ...
- www.publimetro.cl — Michelle Bachelet descarta retirarse de la política tras ...
- elpais.com — Bachelet, en un homenaje tras retirar su candidatura a la ONU ...
- elpais.com — Sheinbaum, sobre la renuncia de Bachelet a la candidatura de ...
- elpais.com — Michelle Bachelet en EL PAÍS
- www.yahoo.com — Costa Rica's Grynspan narrowly ahead in race to be next UN ...
- eastleighvoice.co.ke — Rebeca Grynspan stretches lead in fourth UN straw poll as ...
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Michelle Bachelet exits UN secretary-general race
Michelle Bachelet, former president of Chile, has withdrawn her candidacy for UN secretary-general after receiving low support in polling. A third straw poll failed to produce a consensus or a clear front-runner. Current informal data suggests Costa Rica's Grynspan holds a narrow lead, while Guyana's Rodrigues-Birkett has dropped to second place.
Why it matters
The search for a successor to the UN secretary-general remains unsettled. Candidates are navigating a political environment where some analysts suggest appeasing Donald Trump is necessary for success. The current term ends on December 31, less than three months away.
What is confirmed
- Michelle Bachelet received one vote of support in the latest Security Council straw poll.
- Bachelet accumulated 11 votes against her in the straw poll.
- The current informal data suggests Costa Rica's Grynspan holds a narrow lead in the UN secretary-general race.
- Guyana's Rodrigues-Birkett has dropped to second place in the UN secretary-general race.
Still unconfirmed
- Some analysts suggest appeasing Donald Trump is necessary for success in the UN secretary-general race.
What to watch next
- The next straw poll results
- The decision of Mexico's support for a candidate
- The final selection of the UN secretary-general by the end of December
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (14)
- news.qq.com — 1票赞成11票反对！联合国“铁娘子”惨败退选，同时踩中美红线终遭清算
- sierraleonews.com — Michelle Bachelet Exits UN Secretary-General Race
- www.thedailystar.net — Bachelet quits race to be next UN chief | The Daily Star
- www.breitbart.com — socialism Articles - Breitbart
- en.wikipedia.org — Michelle (name) - Wikipedia
- en.wikipedia.org — Michel'le - Wikipedia
- de.wikipedia.org — Michelle (Sängerin) – Wikipedia
- www.youtube.com — MICHELLE - YouTube
- www.youtube.com — Michelle Khare - YouTube
- www.michellebranch.com — Michelle Branch | Everywhere and Back Again
- www.cnnchile.com — Tras la salida de Michelle Bachelet: México aún no define su ...
- vovworld.vn — Race for UN Secretary-General post enters final stretch
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Michelle Bachelet withdraws from UN secretary general race
Michelle Bachelet, former president of Chile, has ended her candidacy for UN secretary general following low support in polling. While she exits the race, the search for a successor remains unsettled. A third straw poll failed to produce a consensus or a clear front-runner. Current informal data suggests Costa Rica's Grynspan holds a narrow lead, while Guyana's Rodrigues-Birkett has dropped to second place. Candidates are currently navigating a political environment where some analysts suggest appeasing Donald Trump is necessary for success.
Why it matters
The UN secretary general leads the global body during a period of climate crisis and international conflict. This selection process involves straw polls to gauge member state support before a formal appointment. The lack of a clear leader complicates the organization's ability to implement systemic reforms.
What is confirmed
- Michelle Bachelet, former president of Chile, has withdrawn from the race to lead the UN.
- A third straw poll for the UN secretary general race showed no consensus.
- The UN leadership straw poll failed to reveal a clear front-runner.
Still unconfirmed
- Appeasing Donald Trump is a requirement for the next UN leader.
What to watch next
- Results of the next formal straw poll
- Official statements from the leading candidates
- Confirmation of further candidate withdrawals
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (10)
- Reuters — Costa Rica's Grynspan narrowly leads informal UN chief poll, sources say
- PassBlue — Third Straw Poll for UN Secretary-General Race Shows No Consensus
- genevasolutions.news — UN leadership straw poll still fails to reveal clear front-runner
- Al Jazeera — Michelle Bachelet exits UN chief race after low poll support
- usnews.com — Chile's Bachelet Withdraws From Race to Lead UN
- The Guardian — Former president of Chile abandons UN secretary general candidacy
- The Guardian — In a world of wars and climate crisis, a new leader could save the UN. But would Trump allow it? | Steve Bloomfield
- Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana — Guyana’s Rodrigues-Birkett slips to 2nd in race for UN secretary general
- Politico — The search for the next UN leader is on. And appeasing Trump is a must.
- PassBlue — Candidates to Lead the UN Are Falling Into a ‘Reform Trap,’ OSF Official Says
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