Germany loses UN Security Council seat to Portugal and Austria

Germany failed on Wednesday to secure a seat on the UN Security Council. Portugal and Austria, which will sit on the council from 2027, received more votes for the two seats allocated to Western Europe.

Germany lost a UN Security Council seat on Wednesday in a competition it was entering for the first time unsuccessfully. For the two temporary seats allocated to Western Europe, to be filled starting in 2027, Portugal and Austria received the most votes.

This is a rare setback for Germany, which has repeatedly served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council during its UN membership. The UN General Assembly elects temporary members for two-year terms, and negotiations within regional groups typically ensure support for candidates before voting.

Portugal and Austria received more support from UN member states in this vote than Germany, securing a place on one of the world's most influential international decision-making bodies. The UN Security Council has five permanent members — the US, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom — and ten rotating temporary seats.