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Grynspan Narrowly Leads Sixth Vote for Next UN Chief
In brief
Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan remained the narrow front-runner to become the next UN Secretary-General after the Security Council’s sixth informal straw poll on Friday, October 16, 2026. She received nine “encourage” votes and five “discourage” votes, two of them from permanent members, The National reported.
How the leading candidates did
According to The National, Argentina’s Rafael Grossi and Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett each received eight “encourage” and six “discourage” votes, and both also faced opposition from two permanent members. AFP reported that all seven candidates in the poll drew at least one discouraging vote from a permanent member, which means none yet has a clear path.
For the first time in this race, council members used colour-coded ballots that separate the votes of the five permanent members (Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States), who hold a veto, from those of the 10 elected members.
What happens next
No candidate has withdrawn and no new candidates have entered, The National said. US ambassador Mike Waltz told reporters he believes the council can finish its work before the end of the year. Once the council agrees on a name, it recommends that person to the 193-member General Assembly for appointment. The new Secretary-General would succeed António Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026.
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Why it matters
The Secretary-General leads the UN’s staff, peace efforts and humanitarian appeals. A deadlocked race could leave the organization without an agreed successor as the current term nears its end.
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Sources
- The National: Grynspan stays ahead in sixth UN Secretary General vote, but two veto powers say no
- AFP: All contenders for UN chief receive veto: diplomat
- 1 for 8 Billion: Straw Polls 2026
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