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Topic 100 · International Relations & Organisations

Selecting the Next UN Secretary-General

10 MCQs · tap an option to check it · All answers

Revise the 12 points first Book 1 RATNA

Core Trigger: The Security Council held its first straw poll on 30 July 2026 to find Antonio Guterres's successor.
Poll Leaders: Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica topped the first poll; Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett of Guyana topped the second on 21 August.
Current Head: Guterres, the ninth Secretary-General since 1 January 2017, was reappointed on 18 June 2021; his term ends 31 December 2026.
Field Changes: Grynspan led the third poll on 18 September; Michelle Bachelet withdrew on 19 September, leaving seven candidates.
Data Point: Grynspan's first-poll tally was 10 'encourage', one 'discourage' and four 'no opinion' votes.
Veto Rule: The recommendation needs nine votes including all five permanent members, so any one can veto a candidate.
Secrecy: Results are not published; candidates learn them through the permanent representatives of their nominating states.
Headquarters: The Secretary-General heads the UN Secretariat at the UN headquarters in New York.
Predecessors: Trygve Lie of Norway was the first Secretary-General (1946-1952); Dag Hammarskjold of Sweden the second (1953-1961).
Landmark: Article 97 says the Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly upon the Security Council's recommendation.
Related Articles: Article 99 lets the Secretary-General raise threats to peace before the Council; Article 100 bars taking government instructions.
Key Term: A straw poll records 'encourage', 'discourage' or 'no opinion'; the Council only recommends, the Assembly appoints.

Question 1 of 10

The Security Council held its first straw poll to find Antonio Guterres's successor on which date?

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Answer: (B) 30 July 2026

Core Trigger: The Security Council held its first straw poll on 30 July 2026 to find Antonio Guterres's successor.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 100, point 1

Question 2 of 10

Which candidate topped the second straw poll, held on 21 August?

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Answer: (B) Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett

Poll Leaders: Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica topped the first poll; Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett of Guyana topped the second on 21 August.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 100, point 2

Question 3 of 10

Antonio Guterres's term as Secretary-General ends on which date?

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Answer: (C) 31 December 2026

Current Head: Guterres, the ninth Secretary-General since 1 January 2017, was reappointed on 18 June 2021; his term ends 31 December 2026.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 100, point 3

Question 4 of 10

After Michelle Bachelet withdrew on 19 September, how many candidates remained?

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Answer: (D) Seven

Field Changes: Grynspan led the third poll on 18 September; Michelle Bachelet withdrew on 19 September, leaving seven candidates.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 100, point 4

Question 5 of 10

How many 'encourage' votes did Rebeca Grynspan receive in the first straw poll?

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Answer: (A) 10

Data Point: Grynspan's first-poll tally was 10 'encourage', one 'discourage' and four 'no opinion' votes.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 100, point 5

Question 6 of 10

Consider the statements. 1. The recommendation needs only seven votes, with no veto role for permanent members. 2. Any one permanent member can veto a candidate. Which is/are correct?

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Answer: (B) Only 2

Veto Rule: The recommendation needs nine votes including all five permanent members, so any one can veto a candidate.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 100, point 6

Question 7 of 10

The Secretary-General heads the UN Secretariat at the UN headquarters in which city?

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Answer: (D) New York

Headquarters: The Secretary-General heads the UN Secretariat at the UN headquarters in New York.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 100, point 8

Question 8 of 10

Who was the first UN Secretary-General, serving 1946-1952?

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Answer: (B) Trygve Lie

Predecessors: Trygve Lie of Norway was the first Secretary-General (1946-1952); Dag Hammarskjold of Sweden the second (1953-1961).From Book 1 RATNA, topic 100, point 9

Question 9 of 10

Under Article 97 of the UN Charter, which organ appoints the Secretary-General?

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Answer: (B) General Assembly

Landmark: Article 97 says the Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly upon the Security Council's recommendation.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 100, point 10

Question 10 of 10

Consider the statements. 1. Article 99 lets the Secretary-General raise threats to peace before the Council. 2. Article 100 bars taking instructions from governments. Which is/are correct?

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Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

Related Articles: Article 99 lets the Secretary-General raise threats to peace before the Council; Article 100 bars taking government instructions.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 100, point 11

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