Swiss Diplomat Birkett Leads UN Secretary-General Race
Pascale Baeriswyl Birkett Ahead in Internal Ballots
The official election of the new UN Secretary-General by the General Assembly is still pending.
Swiss Candidacy with Good Prospects
Baeriswyl Birkett is considered an experienced diplomat with extensive international experience. She represented Switzerland at the United Nations in New York from 2020 to early 2024. Prior to that, she held various senior positions in the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Her strong performance in the initial informal polls indicates a solid position in the selection process.
The informal straw polls in the 15-member Security Council aim to gauge member states' preferences. Council members vote using slips marked "encourage", "discourage", or "no opinion". Results remain confidential but are regularly leaked to the media.
Political Significance for Switzerland
A successful candidacy by Baeriswyl Birkett would have significant foreign policy implications for Switzerland. The country became a full UN member only in 2002 and served on the Security Council for the first time from 2023 to 2024. The election of a Swiss national as UN Secretary-General would significantly strengthen the international standing of the neutral alpine state.
At the same time, Switzerland would face new challenges. Its neutrality policy would need to align with an active role within the UN Secretariat. The position of UN Secretary-General also entails major diplomatic challenges, particularly in international crisis situations where Switzerland traditionally adopts a mediating role.
Other Candidates in the Race
In addition to Baeriswyl Birkett, several other candidates have submitted their applications. UN member states traditionally consider geographical rotation during the selection process. Europe, with António Guterres, recently held the Secretary-General position, which could generally reduce the chances of a European successor.
The final decision rests with the Security Council, which submits a recommendation to the General Assembly. Each of the five permanent members – USA, Russia, China, France, and Great Britain – holds veto power. The General Assembly must then confirm the recommendation by a simple majority.
António Guterres' second term ends on December 31, 2026. The selection process for his successor is expected to conclude by mid-2026. The coming months will reveal if Pascale Baeriswyl Birkett can maintain her leading position.
