1976 United Nations Secretary-General selection Echeverría. China voted for Echeverría and cast a symbolic veto against Waldheim to demonstrate its support for a Third World candidate. The Soviet Union voted against Echeverría, and the other three permanent members abstained. The Security Council immediately conducted a second round of voting. China dropped its veto and voted for Waldheim, giving him a winning tally of 14-0-1. Echeverría received only 3 votes in favor. As a result, Kurt Waldheim was selected Secretary-General for a second five-year term beginning on 1 January 1977. 1976 United Nations Secretary-General selection A United Nations Secretary-General selection was held in 1976 at the
1961 United Nations Secretary-General selection agreed on Hammarskjöld's successor, they deadlocked on the details of the appointment. The Soviet Union wanted to name an Acting Secretary-General, who must first declare that he would take actions "in agreement" with the Under Secretaries-General. The United States maintained that the Security Council must appoint a permanent Secretary-General, and only the General Assembly could name an interim Secretary-General. The United States also insisted that the Secretary-General must have freedom of action. The main point of disagreement was over the number of Under Secretaries-General. The Soviet Union originally insisted on three Assistants with provision for compulsory consultation, while the United