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Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn from the race to become the next United Nations Secretary-General after failing to gain sufficient support in informal polling. Her exit would have marked a historic first, as no woman has ever led the UN since its founding. The withdrawal narrows the field of candidates vying to succeed the current secretary-general, with the selection process continuing among UN member states. Bachelet, who previously served two terms as Chile's president and headed UN Women, had been seen as a prominent contender for the role.