Germany's UN defeat: What went wrong?

Published 7 June 2026 · politics

Austria and Portugal have won seats on the UN Security Council, ending Germany's 40-year streak. DW examines the foreign policy questions raised by Berlin's defeat

Austria and Portugal have won seats on the UN Security Council, ending Germany's 40-year streak. DW examines the foreign policy questions raised by Berlin's defeat. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul accepted the result with a solemn expression: The UN General Assembly had just elected Portugal and Austria as non-permanent members of the Security Council for 2027 and 2028 — not Germany. Wednesday's decision in New York was the most severe foreign policy defeat yet for the coalition government made up of the center-right Christian Democrats/Christian Social Union(CDU/CSU) and the center-left Social Democratic Party, in office for just over a year. Speaking with ARD television several hours later, Wadephul acknowledged as much. He even revealed that he had considered resigning in the event of a defeat, but ultimately dismissed the idea. "I have nothing to blame myself for," said the CDU politician. He conceded, however, that the decision was "a real disappointment," and promised to conduct a "thorough analysis" of the reasons for Germany's failure. How Germany's aid cuts may have cost it support After the United States, China and Japan, Germany is the largest contributor to the UN budget. Why wasn't that enough to secure the necessary votes, especially from countries in the Global South?

Critics — especially from Germany's opposition parties — have argued that government cuts to once-reliable development aid are to blame. Germany fails in bid for temporary seat on UNSC To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video It's a view shared by nongovernmental organizations like ONE, which advocates for investment in Africa. "Those who, like the German government, want to make massive cuts to development cooperation for the fifth time in a row should not be surprised by a lack of support on the international stage," said Lisa Ditlmann, the NGO's director in Germany, after the vote. Other critics see Germany's belated application and its hesitant campaign for the candidacy as decisive factors. Austria and Portugal had already expressed their interest in a seat on the UN Security Council more than 10 years ago, and had shown up on multiple occasions with a strong government presence at UN headquarters in New York. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, on the other hand, chose not to attend the UN General Assembly last year. Then, as on Wednesday, he sent Wadephul. Is Germany still seen as a defender of international law? Some analysts believe the German government has not been clear on the importance it places on international law.