The current Secretary-General of the United Nations wants to return to Portugal in January, after the end of the mandate, despite the impasse around his succession, today indicated the deputy spokesman of António Guterres.
© John Lamparski/Bloomberg via Getty Images
09/11/2026
by
Lusa
O current Secretary-General of the UNidas Nations wants to return to Portugal in January, after the end of the mandate, despite the impasse around his succession, today indicated the deputy spokesman of António Guterres.
At a press conference in New York, Farhan Haq was asked whether Guterres is willing to extend his term for six months if the UN Security Council is unable to appoint a successor by the end of the year and has removed that possibility.
“The Secretary-General has made it very clear that from January he intends to return to Portugal”, stressed the spokesman.
The issue is the lack of progress in indicating a new name to lead the UN from January next year.
Five women and three men are currently in the race to succeed the 77-year-old Portuguese Prime Minister António Guterres, who will conclude his second five-year term on 31 December.
To win the selection process, which has been dragging on for months, a candidate will have to obtain the consent of at least nine members of the UN Security Council, avoiding the veto of the five permanent members (United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom).
The name will then be submitted to the General Assembly, which in practice follows the nomination of the candidate recommended by the Security Council.
However, the Security Council is at a standstill. No candidate has yet achieved zero “votes against” in the informal votes already held, although Costa Rican Rebeca Grynspan has been highlighted as the most favorable candidate in most rounds already held.
Given the lack of progress in the votes taking place in the Security Council, other candidates may still be present.
Following a geographical tradition not always respected, Latin America disputes the position this time, which explains the fact that most candidates are from this continent.
Many countries also argue that a woman should take office for the first time in the 80 years of UN history.
“The Secretary-General has already publicly stated that it is time for us to have a woman secretary-general. And, of course, the final decision rests with the Member States, such as the issues of regional representation,” said António Guterres’ spokesman today.
The last months of Guterres in office take place in a complex world context, marked by geopolitical tensions and growing conflicts, pressure on the financing of development and the organization itself, rapid technological changes and global warming, factors that continue to test the international system.
Last September, when asked by Lusa about whether his future will pass through Portugal, Guterres responded affirmatively, although ensuring that he did not have plans reserved for professional life.
“ As far as my professional future goes, I have no idea. With regard to my future, where will I live, I will certainly live in Portugal ", said at the time.
There is no rule in the UN Charter that automatically extends the mandate of the Secretary-General if there is an impasse in the choice of a successor.
However, in practical terms, the Security Council and the General Assembly could negotiate a temporary extension of António Guterres' mandate if they were willing to accept, although the former Prime Minister's plan is to officially leave office on 31 December 2026.