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Bachelet Withdraws From UN Secretary-General Race

By Drooid · Sep 20, 2026, 2:20 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Bachelet Withdraws UN Bid

Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet withdrew from the UN secretary-general race.
Chile withdrew its backing in March after far-right President José Antonio Kast took office.
The September 18 straw poll gave Bachelet 1 encourage, 11 discourage, and 3 no-opinion votes.
Her exit leaves seven candidates, four women and three men, to succeed António Guterres.

Summary

UN Watch Presses Diplomats

UN Watch launched a diplomatic offensive on May 19, sending an open letter with 11 questions to Bachelet.
UN Watch appealed directly to Security Council representatives of eight countries, including the United States and United Kingdom.
The campaign attracted coverage in Britain’s The Telegraph, the Jerusalem Post, and Chilean media outlets.
Executive director Hillel Neuer said the effort forced diplomats to confront Bachelet’s record before the straw poll.

History

Historical Context

After Kofi Annan’s term ended in 2006, the UN Security Council held four straw polls that left Ban Ki-moon as the sole candidate with no veto, culminating in a unanimous 15-vote endorsement on 9 October. The United States and United Kingdom’s coordinated lobbying then mirrored today’s Chilean withdrawal of Michelle Bachelet and UN Watch’s May 19 letter, showing how early withdrawals and diplomatic pressure now shape Secretary-General races.

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Bachelet Withdraws UN Bid

Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet withdrew from the UN secretary-general race.
Chile withdrew its backing in March after far-right President José Antonio Kast took office.
The September 18 straw poll gave Bachelet 1 encourage, 11 discourage, and 3 no-opinion votes.
Her exit leaves seven candidates, four women and three men, to succeed António Guterres.

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