Germany has announced that it plans to run for a seat on the United Nations Security Council again for the 2035/36 term, following its failed bid. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) made this declaration during the EU-Western Balkans summit in Montenegro.
In New York, during the UN General Assembly, Germany’s candidacy for a two-year seat on the Council was unexpectedly unsuccessful in the first round of voting last Wednesday. Germany received only 104 votes; however, a two-thirds majority requirement needed 127 votes to pass. Portugal secured 134 votes, while Austria received 131. The United Nations comprises a total of 193 member states.
Germany previously served on the Security Council six times, with its most recent terms being in 2019 and 2020. Diplomats noted that Germany had never failed a candidacy attempt before this one. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) stated that they would conduct an extensive analysis of why the bid failed. However, the federal government did not specify to dpa Nachrichtenagentur on Friday what such an analysis would entail.
