Germany Loses UNSC Seat, Blames Strong Ties with Israel

sajadi Editor : Widi - Friday, 5 June 2026 - 07:49 WIB

Friday, 5 June 2026 - 07:49 WIB

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Berlin, MINA – For the first time ever, Germany has failed to win a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. It lost to Portugal and Austria, which got more votes from Western European countries. The new members will start their terms in 2027.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin’s close relationship with Israel and its active role in rallying support for Ukraine may have cost it the seat.

“We’ve always taken clear positions on certain issues, and not all member states agree with those positions,” Wadephul said. “The fact that Germany has a special responsibility toward Israel in the Middle East conflict may also have cost us votes.”

Christoph Heusgen, a foreign policy advisor to former Chancellor Angela Merkel, agreed. He said Germany’s strong backing for Israel likely played a role in its defeat.

“This accusation of double standards on human rights is, unfortunately, being leveled at us now. It may have contributed to our failure to get elected,” Heusgen said.

The UN Security Council has five permanent members, the US, Russia, China, France, and the UK and 10 non-permanent members that serve two-year terms. Seats are rotated among different regions of the world.

In the vote by the General Assembly for the European seats, Portugal got 134 votes, Austria got 131, and Germany got 104.

Zimbabwe, the only candidate for Africa’s seat, was elected with 182 votes. Trinidad and Tobago, the sole candidate from Latin America and the Caribbean, was also elected with 181 votes.

The five newly elected countries will replace Pakistan, Somalia, Greece, Denmark, and Panama starting January 1, 2027. They will join five other countries that are already serving their 2026-2027 terms: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Latvia, Colombia, and Bahrain.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)