{
  "id": 15083920,
  "title": "UN Security Council holds 6th straw poll on secretary-general candidates",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/un-security-council-holds-6th-straw-poll-on-secretary-general",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T00:59:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/10/1557244/un-security-council-holds-6th-straw-poll-secretary-general-candidates"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United Nations Security Council convened on Friday for the sixth informal straw poll to assess candidates for the position of the next Secretary-General. The Greek permanent representative, Aglaia Balta, explained that the sixth round of voting had taken place. Each candidate will be notified of the results through the permanent representatives of the nominating member states, as will the president of the UN General Assembly. The Security Council's straw polls are informal closed-door ballots that help determine the viability of the candidates. The outcomes are not officially disclosed, but the polls ultimately select a candidate to recommend to the General Assembly for appointment. To secure the Security Council's endorsement, a candidate must receive at least nine \"encouraged\" votes and none \"discouraged\" votes from any of the five permanent members. Seven candidates are still competing for the role: Ivonne A-Baki, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Rafael Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan, Olara Otunnu, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, and Macky Sall. The current Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, will step down at the end of the year, and the new Secretary-General is set to assume office on January 1, 2027.",
  "summary": "NEW YORK: The UN Security Council on Friday held its sixth straw poll on candidates vying to become the next UN secretary-general, reported Xinhua.",
  "key_points": [
    "Sixth straw poll held by UN Security Council for Secretary-General candidates",
    "Greek permanent representative Aglaia Balta explained sixth round voting",
    "Candidate must receive nine votes to secure Security Council endorsement"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Repeated informal voting rounds serve as a critical mechanism for the Security Council to filter viable leaders before making a formal recommendation to the General Assembly for final appointment.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}