UNESCO chief Irina Bokova has unanimous backing of the UN Security Council’s permanent and non-permanent members to be the next UN Secretary-General, however Bulgaria’s delay in naming either her or EU budget commissioner Kristalina Georgieva as its candidate for the top world post may hamper UNESCO’s normal functioning, warned German ambassador Michael Worbs, Chair of the UNESCO Executive Board, in a leaked cable sent to Bulgaria’s foreign ministry, reports Bulgaria’s “24 Chassa.”
If Bokova is officially nominated, she would be elected, as she enjoys broad support, according to Worbs. Then preparations for the election of a new UNESCO director-general would have to start in April.
However, if Georgieva is nominated, Bokova would be expected to quit her post in UNESCO as it is impossible for two representatives of the same country to hold two of the UN’s highest executive posts.
Ambassador Worbs expressed concern that Bulgarian media harshly criticize the candidates, especially Bokova, which is then echoed by the media around the world.
