Michelle Bachelet Exits UN Secretary-General Race

Former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet has officially withdrawn from the contest to become the next United Nations Secretary-General. She announced her decision on Saturday via a video on Instagram, stating her intention to continue her international work with determination.

Bachelet's campaign, which focused on defending multilateralism and international law, struggled to garner significant support within the UN Security Council, culminating in her exit following a third informal straw poll that indicated a lack of backing. The poll revealed that Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan is currently leading the race.

With Bachelet's withdrawal, there are now seven candidates vying to succeed António Guterres, whose second five-year term will end on December 31, 2026. The process will see the Security Council recommend a candidate to the 193-member General Assembly, which is expected to formally vote on the Council's choice.