Former Chilean president’s candidacy advances without internal support; Lula government does not see friction with Kast because of this
The (PT) government will maintain its support for his candidacy for the UN General Secretariat (United Nations)even after the Chilean president José Antonio Kast (Republican Party, right) from the country itself to the former head of state.
Bachelet was president of Chile for 2 terms, directed two UN bodies and knows the internal dynamics of the secretariats. For Planalto, none of the candidates in dispute has comparable experience.
The position is currently held by Antonio Guterres. If Bachelet maintains her candidacy, Chile said it will adopt a neutral position, respecting the former president’s trajectory.
Triple support for the postulation had been defined during the government of Gabriel Borican ally of Bachelet. With the inauguration of José Antonio Kast on March 11, there was a change in the Chilean government’s position.
Today there are four candidates for general secretary. Three are Latin American: Bachelet; Rafael Mariano GrossiArgentinean who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency; and Rebecca Grynspanformer second vice president of Costa Rica. The former president of Senegal, Macky Sallappears as a possible African candidate.
The withdrawal of Chilean support creates a real political difficulty for Bachelet. Her opponents will be able to use this, but there is no legal impediment: she can still be elected without Santiago’s support.
For Brazil, the moment is to maintain support and observe how the field is organized. The country preferred not to take a public stance, awaiting a reduction in tension in Chile.
The process does not go through the General Assembly. The decision will be taken by the Security Council, where the US, China and Russia have veto power.
Beijing has signaled that it will only support a Latin American candidate if she has consensus within the country itself. Bachelet doesn’t have it.
Brazil recognizes the obstacle, but assesses that the process is still at the beginning – debates between candidates in New York are expected to begin in April – and that other competitors will also face problems with permanent members of the Council.
Or Argentine Rafael Grossi, indicated by Javier Mileyfaces skepticism from China and Russia. As director of the nuclear agency, he was ambiguous during Israel’s attacks on Iran, and his proximity to Washington weighs negatively on both countries.
