America Holds a Veto Over the Next U.N. Chief. Use It to Demand a Reformer
In the sixth Security Council straw poll, none of seven candidates won all five permanent members, and all three frontrunners drew two red "discourage" votes. In our view, Washington should publish its reform test and back only a candidate who meets it.
By Clara Hughes
ALTAS WORLD NEWS OPINION | By Clara Hughes, Chief Opinion Editor | October 17, 2026 | 6-min read The United Nations is choosing its next secretary-general, and on Friday the race hit a wall. In the Security Council's sixth straw poll on Oct. 16, none of the seven candidates won the backing of all five permanent members, each of which holds a veto [1]. All three frontrunners drew two "discourage" votes from those powers [1][2]. In our view, that is not a failure. It is leverage, and America should use it to insist that the next U.N. chief is a genuine reformer who will put the institution back to work on peace and security. Key Takeaways Friday's poll was the first in this race to use red ballots that separate the votes of the five veto-holding powers from the other 10 council members [1][2]. Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica led with nine "encourage" votes, three from permanent members [2]. Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett of Guyana and Rafael Grossi of Argentina each received eight "encourage" votes [2]. António Guterres' term ends Dec. 31, and the next straw poll is expected next week [3][1]. U.S. law already says America should withhold support from any