The race to be the next UN secretary-general is on. And placating Trump is a priority.
Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica remains the top candidate for UN Secretary-General after a sixth informal straw poll, though she faces opposition from two permanent Security Council members. All three frontrunners currently face double vetoes from the P5, leaving the council stuck with 76 days remaining before the selection. While Grynspan holds a narrow lead, the United States seeks a reformist candidate, and the process is moving toward a diplomatic showdown as no candidate has secured a consensus.
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- ✓ Rebeca Grynspan topped the sixth informal Security Council poll for UN secretary-general.
- ✓ The Security Council has conducted six straw polls without reaching a consensus.
What changed
The Security Council has completed a sixth straw poll and revealed that all three frontrunners now face double P5 vetoes.
Live updates
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Grynspan leads UN chief race as Security Council remains deadlocked
Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica remains the top candidate for UN Secretary-General after a sixth informal straw poll, though she faces opposition from two permanent Security Council members. All three frontrunners currently face double vetoes from the P5, leaving the council stuck with 76 days remaining before the selection. While Grynspan holds a narrow lead, the United States seeks a reformist candidate, and the process is moving toward a diplomatic showdown as no candidate has secured a consensus.
Why it matters
The Security Council must replace Antonio Guterres to maintain UN leadership. The selection process involves informal straw polls to gauge the support and opposition of the five permanent members who hold veto power.
What is confirmed
- Rebeca Grynspan topped the sixth informal Security Council poll for UN secretary-general.
- The Security Council has conducted six straw polls without reaching a consensus.
Still unconfirmed
- All three frontrunners face double P5 vetoes.
What to watch next
- Results of the seventh informal straw poll
- Official nomination of late-entry candidates
- US confirmation of a preferred candidate
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (2)
- theinsightinternational.com — Grynspan keeps narrow lead in race for UN chief after sixth ...
- www.nationpress.com — UNSC deadlocked on next UN Secretary-General with 76 days ...
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Rebeca Grynspan maintains lead for UN chief despite US opposition
Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan remains the front-runner to succeed Antonio Guterres as UN Secretary-General, having led four of five informal straw polls. In the latest closed-door vote, Grynspan received nine encourage votes and six discourage votes. However, the Trump administration reportedly opposes all current candidates, claiming none sufficiently support the president's vision for change. A congressional aide warned that Republican support for the UN regular budget would be unlikely if Grynspan is selected. The Security Council has conducted six straw polls without reaching a consensus.
Why it matters
The next Secretary-General takes office on January 1, 2027, following Guterres' ten-year term. The selection process is managed by the Security Council, where a single veto from a permanent member can end a candidacy. This transition occurs as the 81-year-old institution faces re-evaluation of its global role.
What is confirmed
- Rebeca Grynspan has led four of the five informal straw polls held by the Security Council.
- In the most recent straw poll, Grynspan received nine encourage votes and six discourage votes.
- The term of current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ends on December 31.
- Seven candidates are competing for the position of UN Secretary-General.
- The Security Council has conducted six rounds of closed-door straw polls.
Still unconfirmed
- Washington believes no current candidate sufficiently supports Donald Trump's vision for changes.
What to watch next
- Results of the next colour-coded straw poll to identify veto-holding opposition
- Formal nomination of a consensus candidate before the January 1 deadline
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (26)
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- www.crazygames.com — Racing Games ️ Play on CrazyGames
- www.census.gov — Race - Census.gov
- www.cfr.org — Who Will Be the Next UN Secretary-General?
- passblue.com — Big Shakeup in Latest Security Council Votes on UN SecGen Race
- www.globalbankingandfinance.com — Costa Rica's Grynspan Leads UN Secretary-General Race, Sources Say
- global.chinadaily.com.cn — UN chief race remains open as selection window narrows
- www.globalissues.org — A Rash of Hard-Hitting Questions — Which May Remain Evasive — for Candidates Running for UN Chief
- www.the-race.com — The Race – Independent Formula 1, MotoGP, Formula E ...
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Rebeca Grynspan leads UN secretary-general race after fourth straw poll
Rebeca Grynspan, former Vice President of Costa Rica, holds a narrow lead over Argentina's Rafael Grossi and Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to succeed Antonio Guterres. The Security Council conducted its fourth informal straw poll on September 29, 2026. Seven candidates are competing for the five-year term starting January 1, 2027. The winner must secure approval from Donald Trump while the organization manages a chronic funding crisis and geopolitical instability. Candidates are presenting competing visions for reform and financial stability as small-state coalitions attempt to gain influence against great-power rivalry.
Why it matters
The UN Secretary-General is the chief administrative officer of the organization. The selection process involves secret straw polls by the 15-member Security Council before a final appointment. This transition occurs during a period of deep division and financial strain within the UN.
What is confirmed
- The next UN secretary-general will serve a five-year term beginning January 1, 2027.
- The Security Council held its fourth straw poll on September 29, 2026.
- The Security Council held its first straw poll on July 30, 2026.
- Rafael Grossi has served as the director general of the UN nuclear watchdog for six years.
Still unconfirmed
- Rebeca Grynspan is the current frontrunner in the selection process.
- Turkey is considering nominating a former foreign minister for the position.
- Seven candidates are currently competing for the role.
What to watch next
- Results of the fifth straw poll
- Official nomination of a Turkish candidate
- Confirmation of Donald Trump's preferred candidate
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (5)
- note.com — Who will be the next UN Secretary-General? Three candidates ...
- en.ce.cn — UN Security Council holds straw poll on secretary-general ...
- ddnews.gov.in — Who are the candidates running for UN secretary-general?
- envoymag.com — envoy - ... everything becomes clearer as we learn
- www.newsday.com — Turkey is considering nominating former foreign minister for ...
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Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan leads UN secretary-general race after fourth poll
Rebeca Grynspan, former Vice President of Costa Rica, has emerged as the frontrunner to lead the United Nations following a fourth round of informal Security Council straw polls. Seven candidates are competing to replace António Guterres, whose term ends December 31. Grynspan currently holds a narrow lead over Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Argentina's Rafael Grossi. The successful candidate must secure approval from Donald Trump and navigate a selection process described as opaque while the organization faces a chronic funding crisis and deep geopolitical divisions.
Why it matters
The next secretary-general will take office on January 1, 2027. For the first time in 80 years, the organization may select a woman for the role. The appointment process relies on informal polls and recommendations from the Security Council.
What is confirmed
- António Guterres will step down as UN Secretary-General on December 31.
- The new UN leader is scheduled to begin their term on January 1, 2027.
- Seven candidates are vying to succeed Guterres.
- Rebeca Grynspan led the fourth round of informal polling conducted by the UN Security Council on Tuesday.
- The UN is currently experiencing a chronic funding crisis.
Still unconfirmed
- The eventual winner may not yet be in the race.
What to watch next
- Results of subsequent Security Council straw polls
- Official recommendations from the Security Council
- Confirmation of Donald Trump's approval of a specific candidate
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (13)
- www.timesnowworld.com — UN Succession Race Intensifies Amid Financial Instability and ...
- monocle.com — The next UN secretary-general will face a daunting task: to ...
- www.livemint.com — Who will be next UN chief? Meet 7 candidates in race to ...
- www.nbcnews.com — Massachusetts Secretary of State Primary Results 2026
- nuclear-news.net — Trump administration dives into U.N. Secretary General race
- www.straitstimes.com — Costa Rica's Grynspan narrowly ahead in race to be next UN ...
- www.thenationalnews.com — Costa Rica’s Grynspan extends lead in race to become next UN ...
- www.france24.com — UN to hold fourth informal poll of secretary-general candidates
- www.fdd.org — Don’t let our next UN secretary-general be a shill for China ...
- passblue.com — [UNGA81] The Sec-Gen Race Heats Up During High-Level Week
- www.globaldispatches.org — The Race for UN Secretary-General Has Come Down to Rebeca ...
- www.afp.com — UN to hold fourth informal poll of secretary-general candidates
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UN Secretary-General Race Underway Amid Trump Priority
The global search for the next United Nations secretary-general is officially underway, with candidates navigating complex geopolitical dynamics that include placating Donald Trump. Informal straw polls have failed to establish a clear front-runner for the position. While Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan narrowly leads the informal polls according to sources, former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has officially abandoned her candidacy following low poll support. The race is further complicated by potential trade-offs between the United States and China, leaving contenders to face difficult political hurdles.
Why it matters
Choosing a new United Nations secretary-general requires balancing the competing priorities of powerful member states, particularly the permanent members of the Security Council. Candidates must secure broad international backing while satisfying Washington and Beijing. Analysts note that contenders often struggle against competing reform demands during the selection process.
What is confirmed
- Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn from the race to lead the United Nations.
- Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan narrowly leads the informal UN chief poll according to sources.
Still unconfirmed
- Placating Donald Trump is a primary requirement for candidates seeking to become the next UN secretary-general.
What to watch next
- Further informal straw polls from the UN leadership
- Announcements of additional candidates entering or exiting the secretary-general race
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (12)
- Reuters — Costa Rica's Grynspan narrowly leads informal UN chief poll, sources say
- 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
- The Guardian — Former president of Chile abandons UN secretary general candidacy
- Reuters — Chile's Bachelet withdraws from race to lead UN
- 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
- The Guardian — Race to be next UN secretary general could rest on US and China trade-offs
- Council on Foreign Relations — Who Will Be the Next UN Secretary-General?
- NBC News — Who will be the next U.N. secretary-general?
- The Contrarian — The Next UN Secretary-General Has to Solve an (Almost) Impossible Puzzle
- The New York Times — The U.N. Is Searching for Its Next Leader
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