A first informal UN Security Council poll on Thursday showed Costa Rica’s former vice president Rebeca Grynspan as the early frontrunner in the race to be the United Nations secretary-general, followed by former Guyanese foreign minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, diplomats told Reuters.

If elected, Grynspan would be the first woman and the first Jew to lead the UN.

One diplomat said Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, head of the UN nuclear watchdog, came in a “surprise” third place among the seven candidates for the post.

The non-binding “straw poll” voting by the Security Council’s 15 members awarded Grynspan 10 “encourage” votes, compared with nine for for Rodrigues-Birkett and seven for Grossi.

The candidates are seeking to replace Antonio Guterres of Portugal when he steps down at the end of this year after two five-year terms.

Guterres’ successor faces the task of revitalizing an organization in crisis and declining stature, amid growing pressure to reform what critics say is a bloated, costly bureaucracy and reduce duplication across its agencies.

In the straw polls, of which multiple rounds are expected, Security Council members in secret ballots are asked whether they “encourage,” “discourage” or have “no opinion” on each candidate.

Diplomats said Grynspan also received one “discourage” vote and four no-opinion votes. Rodrigues-Birkett received two discourage votes and four no-opinions, while Grossi received two discourage votes and six no-opinions.

Support from veto-wielding members is vital

In the early rounds of straw polls, identical ballots are cast, allowing diplomats to see overall levels of support and........

© The Times of Israel