Germany Loses UN Security Council Seat Bid, Accuses Russia of Meddling

(Central News Agency, Berlin, 3rd, combined foreign reports) Germany failed to secure a seat on the United Nations Security Council. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated today that Germany's active support for Ukraine, coupled with its close ties with Israel, may have caused Berlin to miss out on a Security Council seat.

The United Nations Security Council has 10 non-permanent member seats, which are elected by the UN General Assembly for two-year terms. Five seats are up for election each year, allocated by world region.

In today's vote, Austria, Portugal, Kyrgyzstan, Zimbabwe, and Trinidad and Tobago were elected.

In the secret ballot for the European seat in the UN General Assembly, Portugal and Austria received 134 and 131 votes respectively. Germany, which has served six terms as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, received only 104 votes.

This is a setback for the government of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

● Two Main Reasons for the Loss

Wadephul told reporters, "We have taken a clear stance on certain issues, and not all member states agree with that... It is no secret that Russia has stirred up some opposition against Germany." Russia is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council.

He pointed out, "Our firm support for Ukraine is a voice that Russia does not want to hear in the Security Council."

Wadephul said, "On the issue of the Middle East conflict, Germany has a special responsibility towards Israel, which may have cost us some votes." This refers to Germany's firm pro-Israel stance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict due to the historical burden of the Holocaust in World War II.

Germany has also faced repeated external pressure to take a tougher stance on Israel regarding the Gaza war, but it did not do so. This also led a large number of pro-Palestinian countries to vote against it.

Regarding Germany's accusation of Russian meddling, there has been no immediate response from the Russian side. (Editor: Chi Jinling) 1150604