When recommending a candidate for the position of United Nations Secretary-General to the General Assembly, how does a negative vote cast by one of the five permanent members of the Security Council impact the recommendation process?
- It acts as an absolute veto, preventing the Security Council from recommending the candidate regardless of the total votes cast.Answer
- BIt can be overridden if a two-thirds majority of the ten non-permanent members vote in favor of the nominee.
- CIt automatically converts the candidate's nomination into an interim appointment subject to General Assembly confirmation.
- DIt transfers the final selection authority exclusively to the International Court of Justice for binding arbitration.
Answer
A negative vote by a permanent member acts as an absolute veto, preventing the Security Council from making a recommendation to the General Assembly.
According to Article 97 of the United Nations Charter, the Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. Because this recommendation is a substantive (non-procedural) decision, it requires nine affirmative votes including the concurring votes of the five permanent members. Therefore, a negative vote by any permanent member acts as a veto and blocks the recommendation.
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Key Concept
Security Council Veto Power in Secretary-General Selection