Germany loses vote for UN Security Council seat
DW.com • • world
Key Points:
- Germany failed to secure a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), losing to Austria and Portugal in a vote requiring a two-thirds majority in the UN General Assembly.
- Austria received 131 votes and Portugal 134, while Germany garnered 104 votes in the competition for two seats in the "Western Europe and Others" group.
- Germany, the second-largest financial contributor to the UN, had campaigned strongly for the seat, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul emphasizing Germany's readiness to take on responsibility and advocate for UN Security Council reform.
- The vote outcome was influenced by intense lobbying against Germany, notably by Russia, amid Germany's support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
- German leaders expressed disappointment but reaffirmed commitment to the UN, while opposition parties criticized the government’s policies on climate protection and development aid as factors in the failed bid.