Michelle Bachelet exits UN chief race after low poll support
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet ends her bid to be the first woman to lead the United Nations.
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn from the race to become the next United Nations secretary-general, ending her bid to become the first woman to lead the world body in its 80-year history.
Bachelet, 74, announced her decision on Saturday in a video posted on Instagram. “Today I announced that I have decided not to continue with my candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations,” she said.
She added that she did not regret “having taken on this great challenge” even if “the time was not right” for the kind of candidacy she had sought to represent.
To be recommended by the Security Council, a candidate needs at least nine of its 15 members to vote in favour and must avoid a veto from any of the five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – before a final vote in the General Assembly.