Michelle Bachelet Withdraws from UN Secretary-General Race
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn her candidacy for UN Secretary-General after support collapsed in an informal straw poll, leaving seven candidates with Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan leading.
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet announced on Saturday that she is withdrawing her candidacy to become the next United Nations Secretary-General. The decision was communicated via a video posted on Instagram.
Bachelet, 74, served as a two-time president of Chile and previously held the role of UN human rights chief. Her exit follows a third informal straw poll conducted by the UN Security Council on Friday, which indicated a collapse in her support among member states.
With Bachelet’s withdrawal, the field of candidates seeking to succeed António Guterres has narrowed to seven. The same straw poll placed Rebeca Grynspan from Costa Rica in the lead. Guterres is scheduled to conclude his second five-year term as Secretary-General on 31 December.