Costa Rica's Grynspan narrowly ahead in race to be next UN chief, sources say

(Reuters) – An informal poll by the United Nations Security Council on ​Tuesday placed former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan as the ‌frontrunner in the race to become the 10th UN secretary-general, sources close to the process said.

The fourth secret poll by the 15-member Security Council followed the gathering of world leaders at ​the General Assembly in New York last week. The first and third polls, ​held in July and September, also showed Grynspan narrowly ahead while ⁠an August poll placed Guyana’s UN ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett in the top spot.

After ​former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet dropped out of the race this month, seven ​candidates are vying to succeed Antonio Guterres. The former Portuguese prime minister steps down at the end of this year after two five-year terms. More candidates could still enter the race.