US and Russia criticize Baerbock's involvement in UN Secretary-General succession process

The Security Council comprises five permanent members — the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom — and ten members elected for two-year terms. Any of the five permanent members can effectively veto a candidature by withholding consensus in the closed-door consultations.

How the selection mechanism works

US Ambassador Jennifer Locetta was quoted as saying that Washington expects the process to be conducted strictly among the members represented on the Council. Her remarks were echoed by Russian diplomats, who argued that Baerbock's lobbying on behalf of European candidates risked distorting the geographical balance traditionally observed in the rotation of the post.

The American and Russian objections

European governments have pushed back, arguing that the selection of a Secretary-General is a matter of concern for the entire membership of the organization, not only for the members seated on the Council. Several European capitals have publicly endorsed candidates, including figures from their own foreign-policy establishments.

Baerbock served as Germany's foreign minister and has remained active in international forums since leaving office. German officials have declined to comment on the substance of the US and Russian complaints, pointing instead to what they call the legitimate practice of governments promoting experienced diplomats for senior multilateral posts.

A senior UN official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the consultations are confidential, said that the straw polls are expected to continue over several weeks. The candidates whose names are put forward by Council members will be reduced incrementally until a consensus figure emerges.

What comes next

Observers in New York say the unusually public criticism from the two permanent members suggests that the succession contest could become a proxy for broader frictions over the war in Ukraine, climate policy, and Security Council reform. Several non-permanent Council members have called for the process to remain insulated from bilateral disputes.

The General Assembly is expected to formally act on the Council's recommendation later in the year. Until then, Guterres remains in office and continues to chair crisis meetings on Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine.

Diplomatic analysts caution that the dispute could complicate the eventual confirmation of any candidate, since a Secretary-General traditionally wins the post by securing broad regional support rather than by majority vote alone.