The United Nations
Security Council has five permanent member states and in 2012 three of the five
states hold general elections to choose their head of state. Russia has already elected
Vladimir Putin as President, France has just elected Francois Hollande as new
President to replace Nicolas Sarkozy. Of course the most anticipated election
result is in the US where President Obama will fight, against a Republican
candidate, to keep Democrats in office. The US goes to polls in November.
“The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security.” The change in leadership in Russia is not expected to have a major impact on UN’s politics. However, given the ideological differences between Socialist, Francois Hollande and Conservative, Sarkozy, France could bring about a different flavor to the politics of the UN, especially within the Security Council. One area where France under its new President, could exert its influence could be in the appointment of the UN Secretary General. The five-year term of incumbent Ban Ki-moon ends later this year. The UN General Assembly chooses the Secretary General based on recommendations made by the Security Council. The people of the United States of America have yet to decide on their President and the outcome of that US general elections may add further complexity to the role f UN Secretary General.
Interestingly, South Africa is currently a member of the UN Security Council and the country's membership ends on 31 December 2012.
“The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security.” The change in leadership in Russia is not expected to have a major impact on UN’s politics. However, given the ideological differences between Socialist, Francois Hollande and Conservative, Sarkozy, France could bring about a different flavor to the politics of the UN, especially within the Security Council. One area where France under its new President, could exert its influence could be in the appointment of the UN Secretary General. The five-year term of incumbent Ban Ki-moon ends later this year. The UN General Assembly chooses the Secretary General based on recommendations made by the Security Council. The people of the United States of America have yet to decide on their President and the outcome of that US general elections may add further complexity to the role f UN Secretary General.
Interestingly, South Africa is currently a member of the UN Security Council and the country's membership ends on 31 December 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment