Bulgaria's Irina Bokova is Russia's pick for UN secretary general.
Just when it looked like the chances of the first woman U.N. secretary-general were all but gone, a new candidate may join the race.
Germany denies Moscow's claim that Chancellor Merkel wants to replace her with Kristalina Georgieva, the current vice-president of the EU Commission.
Rumour has it that the Bulgarian government may pull its support from early front-runner Irina Bokova and nominate European Commission Vice President Kristalina Georgieva.
A major shake-up is possible if the Bulgarians make the change and under-performing candidates finally pull out.
Twelve men and women are candidates for UN Secretary General. Antonio Guterres of Portugal, formerly the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, is the frontrunner.
One candidate must come from Eastern Europe, according to UN rules, and many international affairs experts have long seen Bulgaria's Irina Bokova, currently UNESCO Director General, as a top pick.
However, Bokova finds herself in fifth place following the fourth ballot in the UN Security Council.
Reports indicate that Hungary, Poland, Latvia and other countries in the region would support Bulgarias move.
Political analysis by Plamen Asenov.
