I see myself as a harmoniser, balancer and mediator. The world’s top powers seem to agree. Casting aside all doubts that I may be too low-profile and uncharismatic to lead in difficult times, I have been recommended as secretary-general of the United Nations by the United Nations Security Council. I am to succeed Kofi Annan on January 1, 2007. Who am I?

Answer to last week’s question: Vladimir Kramnik