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Rebeca Grynspan Leads UN Security Council Straw Poll

By Drooid · Oct 9, 2026, 2:38 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Rebeca Grynspan, former Vice President of Costa Rica, leads the UN Security Council straw poll with nine encourage votes.
Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General, ranks second with six encourage, seven discourage and two no-opinion votes.
Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, former Foreign Minister of Guyana, places third with five encourage, nine discourage and one no-opinion vote.
The fifth informal poll, held on Oct. 7, is followed by a poll slated for Oct. 16.

History

Historical Context

During 2005, a wave of elections swept the globe—from Brazil’s referendum to parliamentary votes in Europe and Africa—highlighting heightened diplomatic competition. In that climate, the United Nations held a six-round, 90-vote contest that re-elected Secretary-General Kofi Annan, with Brazil’s ambassador earning a record 120-point endorsement. Today’s October 16 poll revisits that contested legacy.

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Story summary

Rebeca Grynspan, former Vice President of Costa Rica, leads the UN Security Council straw poll with nine encourage votes.
Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General, ranks second with six encourage, seven discourage and two no-opinion votes.
Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, former Foreign Minister of Guyana, places third with five encourage, nine discourage and one no-opinion vote.
The fifth informal poll, held on Oct. 7, is followed by a poll slated for Oct. 16.

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