Bachelet's UN run collapses: second informal Security Council vote leaves her in virtual seventh place

Michelle Bachelet’s campaign for the United Nations Secretary-General position has suffered a significant setback following the second informal vote among members of the UN Security Council. The results, released this Friday, indicate a sharp decline in support for the former Chilean president, leaving her in a precarious position within the race. In the latest straw poll conducted by the Security Council, Bachelet received only two encouraging votes, six discouraging ones, and seven with no opinion. This marks a notable drop compared to the previous round, where she had secured four more positive responses. According to reports from the digital platform PassBlue, Bachelet's tally of encouraging votes fell by four, while the number of discouraging votes increased by one. The absence of clear endorsements further weakens her standing in the competition. The results of the second informal vote show a shift in favor of other candidates. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana leads the field with eight encouraging votes, three discouraging, and four neutral responses. Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica follows closely behind with seven encouraging votes, four discouraging, and four neutral. Rafael Grossi of Argentina holds third place with seven encouraging, six discouraging, and two neutral votes. Macky Sall of Senegal comes in fourth, securing six encouraging votes, seven discouraging, and two neutral. Olara Otunnu of Uganda, who entered the race after the initial vote, moves into fifth place with five encouraging, five discouraging, and five neutral votes. María Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador takes sixth with four encouraging, three discouraging, and eight neutral votes. Ivonne Baki of Ecuador, who joined the race just days ago, occupies the eighth position with zero encouraging votes, eight discouraging, and seven neutral responses. These figures highlight the challenges faced by late entrants in such high-stakes political contests. The declining support for Bachelet has raised concerns among her backers. Former Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto Van Klaveren expressed uncertainty over the future of her candidacy, noting that the recent results could influence whether the campaign continues. He stated that the outcome will determine whether the effort should proceed and under what conditions, emphasizing that such decisions rest with the countries supporting the bid. Bachelet’s nomination was backed initially by Brazil and Mexico, although Chile withdrew its backing after President José Antonio Kast decided to distance himself from the campaign. This loss of support underscores the shifting dynamics within the international community regarding leadership aspirations for the UN. As the race progresses, the outcomes of these informal polls will play a crucial role in shaping the final selection process. With each round revealing new insights into candidate viability, the path forward for Bachelet remains uncertain. The next steps will depend on how the current results align with expectations and whether additional support can be mobilized to bolster her chances.