- Michelle Bachelet announced her withdrawal from the race to become the next UN secretary-general on Saturday, ending a bid that struggled to gain traction among Security Council members.
- In a video posted on Instagram, Bachelet stated, "I will now continue, with the same determination as always, my international work."
- Bachelet's exit leaves seven candidates in the race to succeed Secretary-General António Guterres, who will conclude his second five-year term on December 31, 2026.
- Bachelet's support had collapsed after a third informal straw poll held on Friday, which showed her position weakened.
- Bachelet had positioned her campaign around defending multilateralism and international law at a time when both were under pressure.
- The UN is currently facing a financial crisis, with Secretary-General Guterres warning that unpaid dues, much of it owed by the US, are affecting operations.
- The upcoming secretary-general elections are considered highly consequential, with discussions about the future of the UN amid pressures from global leaders.
- The US and Russia are engaged in ongoing conflicts, which complicates the UN's role and influence in global affairs.
- There are concerns that Trump's influence may affect the selection of the next UN leader, as candidates will need his approval.
Michelle Bachelet, the former Chilean president and UN human rights chief, announced her withdrawal from the UN secretary-general race via Instagram, stating, "I will now continue, with the same determination as always, my international work." Her decision follows a third informal poll indicating her support had dwindled significantly.125
Bachelet's exit leaves seven candidates competing to succeed António Guterres, whose term concludes on December 31, 2026. The ongoing election process is critical, as it occurs during a time of heightened global challenges, including wars, humanitarian crises, and threats to multilateralism and international law.3
The UN is facing a financial crisis, with Guterres warning of unpaid dues, primarily from the US. This situation complicates the election, as the five permanent members of the Security Council hold veto power, making it essential for candidates to gain their approval. "A new leader will need to reinvent multilateralism in a world where it’s going out of favour," experts suggest.6
As world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly, discussions about the future of the organization and its leadership will dominate the agenda, with no clear frontrunner emerging from the current candidates.
“Bachelet's exit follows a third informal straw poll on Friday that showed her support had all but collapsed, with Costa Rica's candidate leading. The race now hinges on the approval of the five permanent Security Council members, especially Trump, who has yet to publicly weigh in.”
The Guardian
