Chile withdraws backing for former president Michelle Bachelet as UN secretary-general
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Former Chile president Michelle Bachelet was considered a front runner in the race to become the next UN chief.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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- Chile withdraws support for Michelle Bachelet's UN secretary-general candidacy after President Kast criticised her and Boric's backing.
- Bachelet, a former Chilean president and UN High Commissioner, was a frontrunner for the five-year term starting in 2027.
- Chile's foreign ministry stated the decision was due to "differences" with actors and the "inviable" chance of success.
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SANTIAGO – Chile on March 24 said it was withdrawing its backing for the candidacy of former president Michelle Bachelet as secretary-general of the United Nations, but Ms Bachelet said she would press ahead with support from Brazil and Mexico to lead the world body for five years beginning in 2027.
Mr Jose Antonio Kast, who was sworn in as Chile’s president on March 11 in a sharp shift to the right, has repeatedly criticised Ms Bachelet’s presidency.
He has said his leftist predecessor Gabriel Boric made a mistake by supporting her nomination.
In a statement, Chile’s Foreign Ministry said Ms Bachelet’s candidacy was unviable and had no chance of success.
The ministry added that it would abstain from supporting any candidate in the election process.
Ms Bachelet is among the main candidates in the race to succeed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
In a statement later on March 24, she said she would pursue her candidacy with backing from the governments of Brazil and Mexico.
“A candidacy at this level is never an easy task, but the values and principles that marked my life lead me to assume this challenge with responsibility and conviction,” she said, adding that she understands that “foreign policy changes with a new administration”.
Ms Bachelet was Chile’s first female head of state.
She served as UN high commissioner for human rights from 2018 to 2022 and executive director of UN Women from 2010 to 2013.
The UN Security Council will formally recommend a candidate to the General Assembly for election as the 10th UN secretary-general later in 2026.
“Bachelet can still plough on as she also has support from Mexico and Brazil,” said Mr Richard Gowan, director of global issues and institutions at the International Crisis Group.
While a lack of home country support might be an issue for some UN members, Mr Gowan said Ms Bachelet faces opposition also on other fronts.
“Some Republican politicians in the US have also started to target Bachelet, because of her track record of support for abortion,” Mr Gowan said.
“So she is facing multiple challenges that are more about left-right politics in Chile and the US than about her diplomatic skills.”
The election will take place in stages, including public hearings with candidates and a secret straw Security Council vote, throughout 2026.
Ultimately, the five permanent veto-wielding council members – the US, Russia, China, Britain and France – must agree on a candidate.
Other top candidates include Dr Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency and Argentina’s official nominee.
Costa Rica has nominated former vice-president Rebeca Grynspan; the Maldives has nominated Mr Guterres’ former special representative for children and armed conflict, Ms Virginia Gamba; and Burundi backed Mr Macky Sall, the former president of Senegal. REUTERS
