Rebecca Grynspan leads UN Secretary-General race after eighth straw poll

The United Nations Security Council conducted its eighth informal straw poll on Thursday, November 5, 2026, to determine the successor to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is scheduled to conclude his second five-year term on December 31. The process revealed a significant divide in support for the current candidates.

Former Costa Rican Vice President Rebecca Grynspan, 70, solidified her position as the front-runner by securing 12 encouragement votes against three discouragement votes. In contrast, the candidate from Turkey, Feridun Sinirlioglu, faced a major setback in his campaign. Having submitted his candidacy on November 1, the current OSCE Secretary-General received only three encouragement votes, while facing eight discouragement votes and four abstentions, highlighting the limited diplomatic influence currently supporting the Turkish bid.

These ongoing closed-door sessions are designed to identify a consensus candidate to lead the organization during a period marked by global conflicts, US funding cuts, and a perceived decline in the UN's international standing. Member states, including Greece as a non-permanent Security Council member, continue to monitor the implications of these developments as the search for the 10th Secretary-General progresses.