Michelle Bachelet leads informal poll for next UN Secretary-General
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet topped an unofficial international poll conducted by PassBlue for the next UN Secretary-General, earning 29.1% of preferences.
November 2, 2025 - 12:19 PM ET • 2 min read
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet is the leading preference to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), according to the results of an informal international survey released Sunday.
The poll, conducted by PassBlue (an independent media outlet specializing in UN affairs) found that Ms. Bachelet secured 29.1% of the preferences among respondents. This figure is more than double the support received by her closest rival, former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister MarÃa Fernanda Espinosa, who garnered 13.7%. The Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, placed third with 8.9% of the votes.
The survey, which was conducted between October 18 and October 26, is non-official and aims to measure the perception of readers regarding who should succeed current Secretary-General António Guterres when his mandate concludes in 2026.
Ms. Bachelet, who previously served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2018 to 2022, has consistently ranked highly in these informal measurements. The same annual poll conducted by PassBlue last year also positioned the former Chilean leader in the top spot.
The results come amid growing international speculation regarding the candidates for the UN's top post. While the PassBlue survey does not reflect the formal selection process (which involves nominations by member states and voting within the Security Council and General Assembly) it highlights the visibility and perceived viability of Ms. Bachelet as a candidate.
Ms. Bachelet's potential candidacy has already received public backing from several key nations this year, including Spain, France, and China. Furthermore, Chilean President Gabriel Boric publicly offered his support for her potential bid in September.
The selection process for the Secretary-General typically begins in the year preceding the end of the incumbent's term. The role is traditionally rotated geographically, though this is not a strict rule. If selected, Ms. Bachelet would be the first woman to hold the position permanently, following a push by many member states to prioritize female candidates.
MarÃa Fernanda Espinosa, who placed second in the poll, previously served as the President of the UN General Assembly during its 73rd session (2018–2019). Mia Mottley, placing third, is widely recognized for her strong advocacy on climate change and global financial reform.