Germany Loses UN Security Council Seat to Austria and Portugal

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday elected Austria, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe as new non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, with terms beginning on 1 January 2027. The Philippines and Kyrgyzstan remain in contention for the fifth vacant seat, to be decided in a further round of voting.

Germany, considered one of the favourites and having run an intensive diplomatic campaign, failed to secure enough support. In the Western European and other states group, Austria and Portugal took the two available seats. Austria received 131 votes and Portugal 134, while Germany secured 104.

The UN Security Council is the principal organ of the United Nations responsible for international peace and security and the only body empowered to take legally binding decisions, including imposing sanctions or authorizing the use of military force.

The Council has 15 members, five of them permanent: the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom, each holding veto power. The remaining ten seats are filled by non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.

The newly elected countries will replace current members in turn. Zimbabwe takes Somalia's seat, Trinidad and Tobago replaces Panama, and Austria and Portugal take the places of Denmark and Greece. Pakistan's successor will be determined after a further vote.

(reuters, max)