Rebecca Grynspan leads UN Secretary-General race as Sinirlioglu faces setbacks

On November 5, 2026, the UN Security Council held its eighth informal straw poll to select a successor to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose second five-year term ends on December 31. Rebeca Grynspan, the former Vice President of Costa Rica, emerged as the frontrunner with 12 encouragement votes and three discouragement votes. In contrast, the Turkish candidate Feridun Sinirlioglu, whose candidacy was filed on November 1, faced a significant diplomatic setback, securing only three encouragement votes against eight discouragement votes and four abstentions.

Reports indicate that Sinirlioglu received no positive votes from the five permanent members of the Security Council. Following the vote, Sinirlioglu faced intense questioning during a General Assembly interactive dialogue from representatives of the European Union, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. The inquiries focused on his previous diplomatic record, specifically regarding his 2022 assertions concerning the legal status of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as his stance on the Turkey-Libya memorandum and conflicts involving Hamas. The ongoing selection process reflects the organization's current challenges, including funding cuts and geopolitical instability, as member states continue to evaluate the candidates' viability for the top diplomatic position.