German Foreign Minister Johann Waddefull accepted the result with a solemn expression: the UN General Assembly had 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 serious foreign policy defeat yet for the coalition government made up of the centre-right Christian Democrats/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and the centre-left Social Democratic Party, which has been in office for just over a year.
Speaking to ARD television several hours later, Wadefull acknowledged this. He also revealed that he had considered resigning in the event of defeat, but ultimately rejected the idea.
“I have nothing to blame myself for,” the CDU politician said. However, he acknowledged that the decision was “really disappointing” and promised a “thorough analysis” of the reasons for Germany’s failure.
Germany makes ‘drastic’ cuts in development aid
After the United States, China and Japan, Germany is the largest contributor to the UN budget. Why was this not enough to garner the necessary votes, especially from countries in the Global South?
Critics – particularly Germany’s opposition parties – have argued that government cuts in once reliable development assistance are to blame.
This is a view shared by non-governmental organizations such as One, which advocates investment in Africa.
Lisa Dittelmann, director of NGOs in Germany, said after the vote, “Those who, like the German government, want to impose massive cuts to development cooperation for the fifth consecutive time should not be surprised by the lack of support on the international stage.”
Other critics see Germany’s famous application and its hesitant campaign for candidacy as decisive factors.
Austria and Portugal expressed their interest in a seat on the UN Security Council more than 10 years ago, and have shown up on several occasions with a strong government presence at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz, on the other hand, decided not to attend the UN General Assembly last year. Then, like on Wednesday, he sent on Wadeful.
Is Germany’s approach to international law wrong?
Some analysts believe that the German government is unclear about the importance it attaches to international law.
To put it another way: Why didn’t Merz describe the U.S. kidnapping of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in early January, which many observers believe was a violation of international law? Many critics now say that Merz was more concerned about not angering the unpredictable American president.
The CDU’s coalition partner, the Social Democrats, called Wednesday’s decision a blow to foreign policy.
“Those who claim to be guardians of the rules-based international order should not adopt double standards in matters of international law,” said Adis Ahmetovic, his foreign policy expert in Berlin. “Where a perception of double standards arises, credibility suffers.”
Jan van Aken, co-chairman of the socialist opposition Left party, put it more bluntly. “This is what happens when you flout international law,” he said on ARD.
Relations with Israel, Russian influence may have influenced vote
However, on the subject of international law, Germany’s relationship with Israel is perhaps more important. Like many other countries, Germany has also come to criticize the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza following the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023.
Berlin is also concerned by the recent attacks on Lebanon and the US-Israeli war against Iran. And yet, Germany has consistently rejected sanctions against Israel, citing Germany’s historical responsibility towards Israel.
Sources in government circles said on Thursday that Germany had indeed received enough commitments from other countries to reach the two-thirds majority needed for a seat. According to these sources, this means that many states did not fulfill their promises during the secret ballot.
The significance of Russia’s influence is also unclear, as Russia sought to prevent a German seat on the UN Security Council primarily because Germany is considered a strong supporter of Ukraine.
For Germany, the failure of its bid for a seat on the UN Security Council is a first. In addition to the five permanent members – the United States, China, Russia, France and the United Kingdom – there are 10 non-permanent members who change every two years. Since 1987, Germany, one of the world’s most economically powerful countries, has been elected to the body every eight years. That sequence has now ended.
This article was originally written in German.