SPD foreign policy expert Adis Ahmetovic strongly criticized Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) regarding Wadephul’s remarks about potential German funding cuts to the United Nations. Speaking to Der Spiegel on Thursday, Ahmetovic stated that while reviewing specific expenses and projects is legitimate, such fundamental questions must be discussed internally within the coalition. “We do not make fundamental announcements like that in a flow of an interview,” he commented. The SPD politician added that Germany’s failure to secure a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council serves as a crucial international wake-up call. “It was therefore absolutely correct for the Federal Government’s decision to reapply for the next round of candidacies-that is a clear commitment to the United Nations and to multilateral cooperation. We should not send signals now that could be misunderstood internationally or cause unnecessary irritation,” he continued.
In defense of Wadephul’s statements, Jürgen Hardt, the Bundestag spokesperson for the CDU faction on foreign affairs, stated that the Foreign Office was carefully examining where German resources could be most effectively utilized within the UN system following the election defeat. Hardt emphasized that all voluntary contributions are determined by a consideration of German interests. He argued, “German support for individual UN agencies often serves the purpose of migration prevention. The Minister is correct in questioning whether that consideration remains valid for other voluntary payments.”
However, Deborah Düring, the Green Party’s foreign policy spokesperson in the Bundestag, reacted sharply to the proposed reductions. Telling Der Spiegel, Düring dismissed the behavior of the CDU and Wadephul as “undignified,” suggesting instead that Germany should be financially strengthening the UN, not threatening cuts. “The multilateral system, from which we have benefited for decades, is under attack by Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and autocracies worldwide. We must appear as a reliable partner now more than ever,” asserted the Green representative.
Wadephul had initially brought up the possibility of scaling back German contributions to the UN in a report for the Rheinische Post. He claimed that it was unacceptable for Germany, as one of the largest contributors, not to be adequately considered in certain decisions, including personnel matters. The Minister stated that the Bundestag would review “individual engagements” closely during the budget planning process. Despite this, he stressed that he desired increased German funding for humanitarian assistance. Wadephul concluded by saying that the UN must assume that Germany will make its position more firmly known in the future, asserting, “We want to be heard. Germany has interests. And Germany expects to be respected.” He clarified that this was “not a demand for dominance.”
Germany’s recent lack of success in the bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council provides the context for the growing debate.
