International media has been buzzing about the ongoing US presidency race and will remain fixated on it till November 2016. But little attention have been paid so far on another very crucial succession process to take place this year; the next UN Secretary-General (SG). According to the timeline provided by the UN, The new Secretary-General will be chosen by the end of this year and will take office in January – coincidentally, the same month that a new US president will be sworn in. Inevitably, the politicking has already begun.
The United Nations formally kicked off the race for the next secretary-general in December and the world body’s 193 members were encouraged to put forward women candidates. The post has been held by men for the past 70 years.
By tradition, the UN operates an informal system of regional “rotation”, when it comes to choosing its next SG. This time around, it is deemed to be the turn of Eastern Europe. There has also never been a female SG – and most countries seem to agree that it is high time that this should change.
One more notable thing; though the formal decision of picking a new SG is taken by the UN General Assembly – but it always based on a recommendation by the smaller and more powerful, UN Security Council.
Lets take a closer look who are the top contenders for one of the most crucial post in the world–
The Bulgarian top favourite Since the primary criteria to become the next UNSG has been narrowed down for a woman from Eastern Europe, it appears that the favourite candidate is from Bulgaria. Her name is Irina Bokova, who is currently the head of Unesco. By tradition, candidates for SG need to first enlist the support of their national governments. And last week, Sofia endorsed Bokova as their candidate to fill out the top post at the league of nations. Before taking the post at Unesco in 2009, Bokova, 63, served as extraordinary ambassador to France in 2005 and as acting foreign minister in a Socialist government in 1990s.
However, the attitude of Russia, one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, will be considered critical here. The Russians have seemed well-disposed to Bokova in the past, which put her at a position to generate opposition in Washington – particularly since the US Congress traditionally holds a hostile attitude towards Unesco, as an “anti-western” institution.
Other Eastern European options Other nominees include former UN General Assembly president Srgjan Kerim of Macedonia, former Slovenian President Danilo Turk, incumbent Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic and current Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Luksic.
The Macedonian government has already announced it’s endorsement for Kerim, who also held the position of the country’s foreign minister.
Turk, who has also served as UN Assistant SG for Political Affairs, secured the support of his current government, almost two years after the previous one endorsed his candidacy.
Pusic received an official nomination from the outgoing Croatian prime minister despite uncertainty over the incoming government’s position on her candidacy.
Luksic, who is also the former Yugoslav state’s prime minister, has maintained a low profile so far. At age 39, he is likely to be the youngest candidate in the field and would be the youngest-ever SG if selected.
The president of the UN General Assembly has confirmed official candidacy for the aforementioned five including Bokova.
Potential candidates outside Eastern Europe The Portuguese government released a statement In January endorsing Antonio Guterres, a well-respected former prime minister who just wrapped up a decade as UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Incumbent UNDP chief and former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark continues to remain discreet about her interest, although her government has publicly stated it would support Clark if she ran.
The wild cards Speculation continues to swirl about former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd’s possible candidacy as well. But his close ties with Washington would become an obstacle for the necessary UN Security Council’s support.
The most intriguing suggestion of all is that Angela Merkel might be a candidate. The German chancellor is clearly in uphill political trouble at home, as the refugee crisis mounts. A move to the UN might provide a prestigious and face-saving way out of the chancellor’s office. But there is no overt indication that She is interested in leaving office in Berlin at this tricky time. And for the German chancellor to show an overt interest in the UN job and then to be blocked would be a disaster – undermining her at home and abroad.
