The U.N. Security Council on Thursday began the process of selecting the organization's next secretary-general, holding its first informal "straw poll" to measure support for the seven candidates vying to succeed António Guterres as the world's top diplomat.
Following the first round of voting, ambassadors of the 15 Security Council members were tight-lipped about the outcome of the secret poll.
Four women and three men are so far in the running to succeed Antonio Guterres, who will complete his second five-year term on Dec. 31, 2026.
They are Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, Olara Otunnu of Uganda, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana, and Macky Sall of Senegal.
Although Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has arguably the best name recognition, observers believe that for now there is no clear favorite in the race that could last several months.
