Michelle Bachelet, the former president of Chile, has pulled out of the race to become the next United Nations secretary-general after losing support in a recent informal straw poll conducted by the UN Security Council. Her announcement on Saturday marks the end of her bid to succeed António Guterres, whose term concludes on December 31.
Bachelet, 74, had campaigned on a platform advocating for multilateralism and the rule of international law. Her withdrawal leaves seven contenders in the running, with Costa Rican diplomat Rebeca Grynspan emerging as the frontrunner in the latest round of informal polling by the Security Council.
As the selection process continues, the Security Council is tasked with recommending a candidate to the 193-member UN General Assembly, which will ultimately elect the next secretary-general. While Bachelet’s exit narrows the field, the race remains open to additional candidates who may enter the fray.
Bachelet previously served two terms as Chile’s president and was also the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, bringing significant experience to her candidacy. However, the dynamics of international support shifted, prompting her decision to step aside from the competition.