Argentina's Macri nominates foreign minister for U.N. chief job

Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra speaks at a joint news conference with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, China, May 19, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentine President Mauricio Macri on Friday nominated Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra as a candidate to become Secretary-General of the United Nations, in a vote that may hand the top job to a woman for the first time ever.

The United Nations formally kicked off the race for the next secretary-general in December and the world body's 193 members were encouraged to consider putting forward a woman for the top job. A man has held the position since its inception 70 years ago.