KRISTALINA GEORGIEVA JOINS THE RACE FOR UN SECRETARY-GENERAL

Bulgaria’s government nominated the European Commission Vice-President for Budget and Human Resources, Kristalina Georgieva, as the candidate for the post of United Nations Secretary-General. She started her campaign by taking unpaid leave from the European Commission.

Simultaneously with Georgieva’s nomination, the Bulgarian government withdrew its political support for Irina Bokova because of the results at the most recent straw polls, at which Bokova was ranked sixth. Earlier, for an interview for 24 chasa media, Bokova said that she saw no serious reason to withdraw her candidacy.

Because of the decision of the government to shift its support from Bokova to Georgieva, the left-wing Bulgarian Socialist Party said in Parliament that they were considering to put forward a vote of no-confidence.

According to Politico, Georgieva set herself conditions for entering the race - firstly, several Eastern European governments, not just Bulgaria, to back her as a unity candidate from the region. Georgieva also sought assurance that none of the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council would try to block her as a candidate, the media says.

The main motive of the Bulgarian government to withdraw its support from Bokova was the result at the 26th of September straw polls for UN Secretary-General. Irina Bokova ranked only sixth, dropping by one position in the ranking. She received 6 encourage, 7 discourage and 2 no opinion votes.

PM Boyko Borissov reminded that earlier in September he had said that unless Bokova ranked first or second in the 26th of September straw polls, his government would reconsider its candidacy.

Both PM Borissov and Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov thanked Bokova for the hard work, but said that after careful analysis and consultations with Bulgaria’s partners among the Eastern European group, a decision was made to nominate Kristalina Georgieva as the new candidate for the UN top post.

Borissov said that Bulgaria had made tremendous efforts, including by the Presidency and the Foreign Ministry, in support of Bokova.

Foreign Minister Mitov called the decision difficult, but necessary. He described the qualities of Georgieva as a person, who was World Bank official, has two terms of office as European Commissioner and extensive experience as diplomat.

There is no mechanism for a country to withdraw a candidacy and Bulgaria cannot withdraw Bokova’s candidacy. Minister Mitov said that the Bulgarian government made the decision as a government of a sovereign country and left it entirely to Bokova to decide whether to stay or leave the race. Later, in Parliament, he said that it had happened before a country to withdraw support for a candidate and nominate another one and gave an example with the Croatian government withdrawing its support from Vesna Pusic, who withdrew from the race. He said he hoped Bokova would do the same.

The procedure for electing the UN Secretary General comprises of a series of straw polls by secret ballot. The next straw polls will be held on 5th of October will with coloured ballots for the five permanent members, UK, China, USA, Russia, and France. They hold the power to veto.

Under the procedure, the 15-meber UN Security Council vote and select the candidate. The Security Council also recommends to the General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary-General.

The winning candidate has to gain 9 votes from the 15 members of the SC, including those of all permanent members. According to the United Nations Charter, the Secretary-General is chosen by the 193-member General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council.

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