Former Guyana minister leads in second straw poll for UN chief

An informal poll on Friday placed Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett narrowly ahead in the contest to become the next U.N. Secretary-General, diplomats and other sources close to the process said.



The voting among the 15 members of the U.N. Security Council was the second such "straw poll" after a first round last month showed former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan as the front runner.



The new poll showed Argentina's Rafael Grossi, head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, again in third place.



In the straw polls, of which multiple rounds are expected, Security Council members are asked in secret ballots if they "encourage," "discourage" or have "no opinion" on candidates. In Friday's vote, Birkett got eight encourage votes — one fewer than last time — three discourage, and four no opinions.



Grynspan got seven encourage votes, against 10 last time, four discourage and four no opinion.