United Nations, Oct.1 (DPnet).– Security Council votes are increasingly leaning in favor of Rebeca Grynspan (right in the photo). The results of the 4th straw poll (Sept.29) were as follows:
Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica)
10 Encourage, 3 Discourage, 2 No Opinion
Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (Guyana)
8 Encourage, 6 Discourage, 1 No Opinion
Rafael Grossi (Argentina)
8 Encourage, 7 Discourage
Therefore, the election process remains firmly in the hands of the UN Security Council. The 193-member General Assembly only votes after the Security Council delivers a formal, singular nominee.
Meanwhile, the Security Council will continue running informal straw polls to narrow down the field until it may recommend one to the General Assembly.
What happens next: The Security Council will hold further rounds of straw polls. Crucially, they have not yet shifted to using colored ballots. Colored ballots are used to explicitly reveal if any of the five permanent, veto-wielding members (the US, China, Russia, the UK, or France) intend to veto a candidate. Reports have leaked that China is vetoing the three candidates but is reconsidering approving one of the two female candidates.
The Security Council must continue polling until a candidate emerges who secures at least nine affirmative votes and avoids a veto from any of the five permanent members.