There is no single reason why Helen Clark did not beat former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres to become the next UN Secretary-General. Head start: Clark started campaigning later than Guterres, who finished his job as UN High Commissioner for Refugees in December. US opposition: The United States not only refused to support Clark, it opposed her. UK's passive support: Britain may have voted to leave the EU but its interests are still closely tied to Europe. No momentum: Clark's support declined.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 05, 2016 23:48 UTC