Don’t write Clark off for secretary-general role yet, says Key

Helen Clark has received five votes against her bid for the UN’s top job, but the Prime Minister says she’s still got a chance.

After a straw poll last week ranked Clark in the middle of the pack of 12 candidates for the United Nations secretary-general role, John Key has still come out in strong support of her.

However, Key was clearly frustrated with the strategic voting among the UN’s security council members.

Based on a rotational basis, it was ‘‘theoretically’’ eastern Europe’s turn at getting a successful candidate through.

‘‘Here’s a shock: they’re tactically voting because they want to preserve this rotation,’’ he said.

‘‘If they’re doing that, that is everything that’s wrong with the United Nations because, for goodness sake, let’s get the best person in the job.’’

The top five candidates were from Europe, with four from eastern Europe, he said.

Results last week were revealed after 15 security council members cast their vote either endorsing, discouraging or offering no opinion on the candidates.

‘‘Clearly they are all block voting down Helen Clark,’’ he said.

‘‘I personally don’t think that she’s out of the race yet. What you’ve got at the moment is these pretty raw and blunt tactical voting strategies playing out.

‘‘I think Helen always knew it was going to be tough, it is tough, but I wouldn’t write her off yet.’’

When asked about former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd’s bid to enter the race, Key didn’t appear fazed.

He’d had a ‘‘couple of chats’’ about it to the current Prime Min- ister Malcolm Turnbull, but couldn’t reveal details. ’’At the moment he doesn’t have a country nominating him,’’ Key said.

‘‘I still think anyway if its a drag race between Kevin Rudd and Helen Clark, New Zealanders, and I reckon a hell of a lot of Australians, know who the best candidate is.’’