Costa Rica’s Grynspan ahead in race to lead UN, would be first woman, first Jewish chief

A first informal UN Security Council poll shows former Costa Rican vice president Rebeca Grynspan as the early frontrunner in the race to become the next secretary-general of the world body, followed by former Guyanese foreign minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, diplomats tell Reuters.

One diplomat says Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, head of the UN nuclear watchdog, is in a “surprise” third place among the seven candidates for the post. In the non-binding “straw poll” voting by the 15 members of the Security Council, Grynspan receives 10 “encourage” votes compared to nine 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’s successor faces the task of revitalizing an organization in crisis and declining stature, and under increasing pressure to reform a bloated, costly bureaucracy and cut duplication across its many 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.

Two sources tell Reuters Grynspan also received one “discourage” vote.

In the early rounds of straw polls, anonymous ballots are cast, allowing diplomats to see overall levels of support and opposition without revealing whether negative votes came from one of the Council’s five veto-wielding permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — whose support is vital.

Historical precedent suggests multiple rounds of polling could continue through the summer and conclude in late September or early October. The process could take longer if no consensus candidate emerges.

At a later stage in the process, the five permanent members use a different color from elected members that reveals whether a candidate has received a “discourage” vote from one of them.

The Security Council ultimately adopts a resolution, traditionally behind closed doors, recommending an appointment to the 193-member UN General Assembly. This needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes.

Grynspan, descended from Holocaust refugees, has relations with leading Jewish organizations, family in Israel and is a source of pride for Costa Rica’s small Jewish community, but is also an insider at the UN, which Israel has long accused of promoting animus against the country on the world stage. Her office has produced reports critical of the Jewish state during her tenure at the UN.