In the United Nations Security Council's fourth informal straw poll overnight, support for Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga decreased, but she placed third nevertheless.
Vike-Freiberga got five votes in favor, six against - including two from permanent Security Council members - and four abstentions.
Monday's crucial informal poll was the first to differentiate ballot sheets used by the Security Council's 10 non-permanent members from those of the five veto-wielding permanent members. A negative vote from any of the so-called "Big Five" would mean that the member state would veto the candidacy.
REUTERS/AFP