---
title: "Michelle Bachelet withdraws UN Secretary General bid"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/michelle-bachelet-withdraws-un-secretary-general-bid"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/michelle-bachelet-withdraws-un-secretary-general-bid"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/michelle-bachelet-withdraws-un-secretary-general-bid.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/michelle-bachelet-withdraws-un-secretary-general-bid"
category: "Politics"
area: "Latin America"
published: "2026-09-19T22:46:15.954Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-19T22:28:58.797Z"
updated: "2026-09-19T22:46:15.954Z"
trust_score: 30
critic_score: 45
hype_score: 20
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-19T22:45:21.596726+00:00"
---

# Michelle Bachelet withdraws UN Secretary General bid

*Former Chilean president announced decision via social media after informal UN Security Council voting.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 30 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to Michelle Bachelet, but no named sources or documents corroborate the reporting.
- Craft 45 of 100, higher is better. The digests provide a basic account of the event, but lack depth and context.
- Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language used is neutral and factual, with no sensationalism.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Michelle Bachelet announced she is withdrawing her candidacy for the UN Secretary General.
- She confirmed the decision in a video posted on her social networks.
- Bachelet stated she does not regret having undertaken the challenge.
- Her withdrawal followed informal voting results in the UN Security Council.

Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet announced on Saturday, 19 September 2026, that she is withdrawing her candidacy for the position of UN Secretary General. She confirmed this decision in a video posted on her social networks. Bachelet stated that she does not regret having undertaken the challenge. Her withdrawal came after informal voting results in the UN Security Council.

## Coverage Disagreements

One report stated that Bachelet's decision followed a "crushing defeat" in the Security Council's third straw poll, where she received one "encourage" vote against 11 "discourage" votes and three abstentions, according to unwatch.org. Other reports did not specify the voting results.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated digests mention the specific voting results in the UN Security Council that unwatch.org reported.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 18 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 11% (2)
- Centre: 39% (7)
- Right: 50% (9)

36 of 54 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-19T22:45:21.596726+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 3 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-19T23:30:26.577Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated reports highlighted Bachelet's statement that she does not regret having undertaken the challenge. El Pais noted she appeared as one of the favourites in informal voting. Infobae and El Pais both stated she announced she would not continue her candidacy.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports focused on Bachelet's announcement of her withdrawal from the UN Secretary General race. Santa Maria Times reported she argued a Latin American woman should be elected. France24 and El Periódico mentioned her underlining the growing crisis of multilateralism. TVN noted that no woman has served as UN Secretary General in its 80-year history.

### Right

- Right-rated reports focused on the outcome of the UN Security Council voting. Unwatch.org stated Bachelet's bid was "defeated" after receiving one "encourage" vote against 11 "discourage" votes and three abstentions in the third straw poll. Clarin mentioned she was penultimate in a poll. La Nacion reported she "failed to go back and desisted from moving forward." Emol quoted her saying, "Leadership is also knowing when to give up."

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- high: 12
- unknown: 36
- veryHigh: 5

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Diario Concepción](https://diarioconcepcion.cl/politica/2026/09/19/michelle-bachelet-anuncia-el-fin-de-su-candidatura-a-la-secretaria-general-de-las-naciones-unidas.html) — Michelle Bachelet Announces the End of Her Candidacy for the General Secretariat of the United Nations
- [unwatch.org](https://unwatch.org/victory-michelle-bachelets-bid-to-lead-u-n-is-defeated) — Victory: Michelle Bachelet’s Bid to Lead U.N. Is Defeated
- [ellitoral.com.ar](https://ellitoral.com.ar/internacional/2026-9-19-18-18-0-bachelet-se-bajo-de-la-carrera-a-la-secretaria-general-de-la-onu) — Bachelet Stepped Out of the Race to the UN General Secretariat
- [desenfoque.cl](https://desenfoque.cl/2026/09/19/bachelet-se-baja-de-la-carrera-por-la-onu) — Bachelet Gets Out of the Race for the UN
- [entrelineas.com.mx](https://entrelineas.com.mx/michelle-bachelet-retira-su-candidatura-a-la-secretaria-general-de-la-onu-apoyada-por-mexico-y-brasil) — Michelle Bachelet Withdraws Her Candidacy for UN General Secretariat, Supported by Mexico and Brazil - Entre Lineas
- [RPP](https://rpp.pe/mundo/chile/michelle-bachelet-anuncia-que-no-continuara-con-su-candidatura-para-liderar-la-onu-noticia-1708421) — Michelle Bachelet Announces that She Will Not Continue Her Candidacy to Lead the UN
- [la Nacion](https://lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/bachelet-se-baja-de-la-carrera-a-la-secretaria-general-de-la-onu-tras-volver-a-quedar-lejos-en-las-nid19092026) — Bachelet Gets Out of the Race to the UN General Secretariat After Getting Away From the Votes Again
- [Life.ru](https://life.ru/p/eks-prezident-chili-bachelet-otkazalas-borotsya-za-post-genseka-oon) — Ex-President Bachelet of Chile Refused to Fight for the Post of UN Genec.
- [Santa Maria Times](https://santamariatimes.com/ap/international/expresidenta-chilena-michelle-bachelet-declina-candidatura-a-secretar-a-general-de-onu/article_7f026fef-76f4-5a05-9316-5ed72fcdc7f9.html) — Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Declines Candidacy for UN General Secretariat
- [cedarnews.net](https://cedarnews.net/ultima-hora/996038/renuncia-candidatura-bachelet-onu-desata-choque-politico) — Bachelet's Resignation From UN Candidacy Sparks Political Clash Between Officialism and Opposition
- [Clarin](https://clarin.com/mundo/michelle-bachelet-carrera-secretaria-general-onu-pasa-rafael-grossi_0_JReOHiakGc.html) — Michelle Bachelet Got Out of the Race for the UN General Secretariat: What About Rafael Grossi
- [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/3054275/michelle-bachelet-retira-candidatura-ao-cargo-de-secretaria-geral-da-onu) — Michelle Bachelet Withdraws From the Post of UN Secretary-General
- [France24](https://france24.com/es/am%C3%A9rica-latina/20260919-bachelet-se-retira-de-la-carrera-por-liderar-la-onu-por-qu%C3%A9-abandon%C3%B3-la-candidatura) — Bachelet Withdraws From the Race for Leading the UN: Why Did He Quit the Candidacy?
- [Nómada News](https://nomada.bo/la-expresidenta-de-chile-michelle-bachelet-retira-su-candidatura-a-la-secretaria-general-de-la-onu) — Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Withdraws Her Candidacy for the UN General Secretariat
- [La Nación, Grupo Nación](https://nacion.com/el-mundo/bachelet-renuncia-a-candidatura-a-secretaria/AWZPHLOVAZG6TFAWTZ3TP56Z6A/story) — Michelle Bachelet Resigns as UN Secretary General: ‘We Helped Install in the Global Debate that the Next Should Be a Woman From Latin America’
- [TVN](https://tvn-2.com/mundo/bachelet-renuncia-candidatura-secretaria-general_1_2261793.html) — Bachelet Resigns as UN Secretary General
- [Sapo](https://sapo.pt/artigo/michelle-bachelet-retira-candidatura-ao-cargo-de-secretaria-geral-da-onu-6aaef47b2a756779ea9321e4) — Michelle Bachelet Withdraws From the Post of UN Secretary-General
- [SIC Notícias](https://sicnoticias.pt/mundo/2026-09-19-michelle-bachelet-retira-candidatura-ao-cargo-de-secretaria-geral-da-onu-4c8fc961) — Michelle Bachelet Withdraws From the Post of UN Secretary-General
- [The Objective | Periodismo ethos](https://theobjective.com/internacional/2026-09-19/expresidenta-chile-bachelet-retira-candidatura-secretaria-general-onu) — Former Chilean President Bachelet Withdraws Her Candidacy for the UN General Secretariat
- [Potosinoticias.com](https://potosinoticias.com/2026/09/19/bachelet-retira-candidatura-para-presidir-la-onu-agradece-respaldo-de-sheinbaum-y-lula) — Bachelet Withdraws Candidacy to Chair the UN; Thanks Support From Sheinbaum and Lula
- [www.prensa-latina.cu](https://prensa-latina.cu/2026/09/19/expresidenta-chilena-declina-candidatura-a-dirigir-la-onu) — Former Chilean President Declines Candidacy to Head the UN - Noticias Prensa Latina
- [La República](https://larepublica.co/globoeconomia/michelle-bachelet-abandono-candidatura-para-presidir-la-organizacion-de-las-naciones-unidas-4486270) — Michelle Bachelet Stepped Down to Preside over the United Nations
- [Aristegui Noticias](https://aristeguinoticias.com/1909/mundo/bachelet-no-continuara-con-su-candidatura-para-presidir-la-onu-agradece-a-sheinbaum-y-a-lula) — Bachelet Will Not Continue His Candidacy to Preside over the UN; Thanks Sheinbaum and Lula
- [Caraota Digital](https://caraotadigital.net/mundo/michelle-bachelet-anuncio-que-no-continuara-con-su-candidatura-para-liderar-la-onu) — Michelle Bachelet Announced that She Will Not Continue Her Candidacy to Lead the UN
- [expreso.ec](https://expreso.ec/internacional/michelle-bachelet-anuncia-no-continuara-candidatura-liderar-onu-296394.html) — Michelle Bachelet Announces that She Will Not Continue Her Candidacy to Lead the UN
- [El Universo](https://eluniverso.com/noticias/internacional/michelle-bachelet-retira-su-candidatura-para-ser-secretaria-general-de-la-onu-nota) — Michelle Bachelet Withdraws Her Candidacy for UN Secretary General
- [El Periodista Online](https://elperiodista.cl/2026/09/bachelet-retira-su-candidatura-a-la-onu-tras-perder-respaldo-y-quedar-al-borde-de-un-veto) — Bachelet Withdraws Its Candidacy to the UN After Losing Support and Remaining on the Verge of a Veto
- [El Pais](https://elpais.com/chile/2026-09-19/michelle-bachelet-renuncia-a-la-candidatura-de-la-onu-no-me-arrepiento-a-haber-emprendido-este-gran-desafio.html) — Michelle Bachelet Renounces the UN Candidacy: “I Do Not Regret Having Undertaken This Great Challenge”
- [noticiaslatam.lat](https://noticiaslatam.lat/20260919/bachelet-se-retira-de-la-contienda-para-la-secretaria-general-de-la-onu-1175120629.html) — Bachelet Withdraws From the Contest for the UN General Secretariat
- [El Periódico](https://elperiodico.com/es/internacional/20260919/bachelet-anuncia-continuara-candidatura-liderar-134473015) — Bachelet Announces that He Will Not Continue His Candidacy to Lead the UN
- [informacion.es](https://informacion.es/internacional/2026/09/19/bachelet-anuncia-continuara-candidatura-liderar-134473020.html) — Bachelet Announces that He Will Not Continue His Candidacy to Lead the UN
- [laprovincia.es](https://laprovincia.es/mundo/2026/09/19/bachelet-anuncia-continuara-candidatura-liderar-134473022.html) — Bachelet Announces that He Will Not Continue His Candidacy to Lead the UN
- [elcorreoweb.es](https://elcorreoweb.es/internacional/2026/09/19/bachelet-anuncia-continuara-candidatura-liderar-134473052.html) — Bachelet Announces that He Will Not Continue His Candidacy to Lead the UN
- [elcorreogallego.es](https://elcorreogallego.es/mundo/2026/09/19/bachelet-anuncia-continuara-candidatura-liderar-134473047.html) — Bachelet Announces that He Will Not Continue His Candidacy to Lead the UN
- [lacronicabadajoz.com](https://lacronicabadajoz.com/internacional/2026/09/19/bachelet-anuncia-continuara-candidatura-liderar-134473051.html) — Bachelet Announces that He Will Not Continue His Candidacy to Lead the UN
- [EFE](https://efe.com/mundo/2026-09-19/bachelet-retiro-candidatura-secretaria-general-onu) — Bachelet Announces that He Will Not Continue His Candidacy to Lead the UN
- [Infobae](https://infobae.com/america/agencias/2026/09/19/bachelet-anuncia-que-no-continuara-con-su-candidatura-para-liderar-la-onu) — Bachelet Announces that He Will Not Continue His Candidacy to Lead the UN
- [Jovem Pan News](https://jovempan.com.br/mundo/apoiada-pelo-brasil-bachelet-desiste-de-candidatura-para-chefiar-secretaria-geral-da-onu) — Supported by Brazil, Bachelet Gives up Candidacy to Head UN Secretary-General
- [Hola News](https://holanews.com/bachelet-anuncia-que-no-continuara-con-su-candidatura-para-liderar-la-onu) — Bachelet Announces that He Will Not Continue His Candidacy to Lead the UN
- [vlnradio.cl](https://vlnradio.cl/noticias/internacional/2026/09/19/michelle-bachelet-baja-su-candidatura-a-la-secretaria-general-de-la-onu) — Michelle Bachelet Drops Her Candidacy for the UN General Secretariat
- [La Tercera](https://latercera.com/nacional/noticia/michelle-bachelet-anuncia-que-no-continuara-con-su-candidatura-a-la-secretaria-general-de-la-onu) — Michelle Bachelet Announces that She Will Not Continue Her Candidacy for the UN General Secretariat
- [The Clinic](https://theclinic.cl/2026/09/19/he-decidido-no-continuar-con-la-candidatura-bachelet-se-baja-de-la-carrera-por-la-secretaria-general-de-la-onu) — “I Have Decided Not to Continue the Candidacy”: Bachelet Drops the Race for the UN General Secretariat
- [BioBioChile](https://biobiochile.cl/noticias/internacional/mundo/2026/09/19/bachelet-anuncia-que-baja-su-candidatura-en-la-onu-sigo-con-la-misma-determinacion.shtml) — Bachelet Announces that He Drops His Candidacy at the UN: "I Continue with the Same Determination"
- [Folha de S.Paulo](https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/mundo/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mundo/2026/09/candidata-chilena-apoiada-pelo-brasil-desiste-da-candidatura-a-secretaria-geral-da-onu.shtml) — Michelle Bachelet Gives up Campaign for the UN
- [www.diariolibre.com](https://diariolibre.com/mundo/america-latina/2026/09/19/michelle-bachelet-renuncia-a-candidatura-para-presidir-la-onu/3664351) — Bachelet Resigns as UN Secretary-General
- [Metrópoles](https://metropoles.com/mundo/apoiada-pelo-brasil-bachelet-retira-candidatura-para-assumir-onu) — Supported by Brazil, Bachelet Withdraws Candidacy to Take over UN
- [La Hora](https://lahora.cl/cronica/2026/09/19/no-me-arrepiento-de-michelle-bachelet-echo-pie-atras-a-su-candidatura-en-la-onu) — "I Do Not regret...": Michelle Bachelet Stepped Back From Her Candidacy at the UN
- [CNN Brasil](https://cnnbrasil.com.br/internacional/michelle-bachelet-retira-candidatura-ao-cargo-de-secretaria-geral-da-onu) — Michelle Bachelet Withdraws From the Post of UN Secretary-General
- [Noticias Chile | Informadorchile |](https://elinformadorchile.cl/2026/09/19/bachelet-se-baja-de-la-onu) — Bachelet Gets Off the UN NEWS CHILE The Informer Chile
- [pnt.cl](https://puranoticia.pnt.cl/nacional/michelle-bachelet-baja-su-candidatura-a-la-secretaria-general-de-la-onu) — Michelle Bachelet Drops Her Candidacy for the UN General Secretariat: “I Don’t Regret Taking on This Great Challenge”
- [El Mostrador](https://elmostrador.cl/noticias/pais/2026/09/19/michelle-bachelet-renuncia-a-su-candidatura-a-la-onu) — Michelle Bachelet Resigns Her UN Candidacy
- [CNN Chile](https://cnnchile.com/pais/michelle-bachelet-anuncia-que-no-continuara-con-su-candidatura-a-la-secretaria-general-de-la-onu) — Michelle Bachelet Announces that She Will Not Continue Her Candidacy for the UN General Secretariat
- [Emol](https://emol.com/noticias/Nacional/2026/09/19/1211893/bachelet-candidatura-onu.html) — Bachelet Lowers His Candidacy for the UN After Poll Results: "Leadership Is Also Knowing when to Give Up"
- [udgtv](https://udgtv.com/noticias/bachelet-retira-su-candidatura-para-dirigir-la-onu/332110) — Bachelet Withdraws His Candidacy to Run the UN After Remaining Penultimate in Poll

## Questions

**Why did Michelle Bachelet withdraw her UN candidacy?**

Michelle Bachelet announced her withdrawal from the UN Secretary General candidacy in a video on social media. This decision followed informal voting results in the UN Security Council. She stated she does not regret undertaking the challenge.

**How did the UN Security Council vote on her candidacy?**

According to unwatch.org, Bachelet received one "encourage" vote against 11 "discourage" votes and three abstentions in the Security Council's third straw poll. Other reports did not provide specific voting details.

**What did Michelle Bachelet say about her decision?**

In a video announcement, Michelle Bachelet confirmed her withdrawal and stated that she does not regret having undertaken the challenge. Some reports also noted her emphasis on the importance of multilateralism and the potential for a woman from Latin America to lead the UN.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/michelle-bachelet-withdraws-un-secretary-general-bid. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Michelle Bachelet withdraws UN Secretary General bid", https://mediabias.news/politics/michelle-bachelet-withdraws-un-secretary-general-bid