Rodrigues Birkett Tops UN Straw Poll With 8 Votes as Otunnu More Than Doubles Support
Updated
Updated · PassBlue · Aug 22
Rodrigues Birkett Tops UN Straw Poll With 8 Votes as Otunnu More Than Doubles Support
3 articles · Updated · PassBlue · Aug 22
Summary
Eight encourage votes put Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett narrowly ahead in the UN Security Council’s second secret straw poll, one vote ahead of Rebeca Grynspan and Rafael Grossi.
Five encourage votes for Uganda’s Olara Otunnu marked the sharpest gain from July, more than doubling his support after his Aug. 20 General Assembly dialogue.
No candidate reached the nine affirmative votes needed to establish a decisive lead, underscoring a still-fragmented race among the 15 Council members.
Six discourage votes hit Grossi despite steady encourage backing, while Michelle Bachelet’s support fell from six encourage votes to two and Ivonne A-Baki drew none.
The informal polling will continue for months before the Council recommends one candidate to the 193-member General Assembly to replace António Guterres by Dec. 31.