A top contender for the United Nations' next secretary-general has criticized the organization, saying it comes across as an authoritarian voice, according to Dagens Nyheter. The Swedish daily reported the remarks on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, as the race to lead the world body intensifies.
In a separate development reported by Svenska Epoch Times, Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn her candidacy for the UN's top post. The two reports emerged as the selection process moves forward.
Dagens Nyheter also reported that the major powers are now set to try to agree on a new UN chief amid an ongoing crisis. The outcome will depend heavily on negotiations among those states, the paper indicated.
Civil society leaders, meanwhile, have directed a message at the next secretary-general: statements alone will not be enough, according to tidningensyre.se. The outlet did not detail what specific actions those leaders are seeking.
The field of contenders has drawn attention, with yle.fi reporting that several strong women are among those in the running as the choice of a new UN secretary-general approaches. The Finnish broadcaster did not name specific candidates in its headline.
The secretary-general selection comes at a charged moment for the organization, with criticism now coming from within the candidate pool itself. Dagens Nyheter's report on the frontrunner's remarks adds a public dimension to what is typically a quiet diplomatic process.
What to watch next: whether the major powers can converge on a single candidate, and how Bachelet's withdrawal reshapes the remaining field.
