The UN vote is considered the most severe foreign policy loss for Merz’s coalition

The decadence of Germany results in ‘bitter defeat’.

The United Nations General Assembly held an election for new rotating members of the Security Council for 2027 and 2028 – and it turned into a historical embarrassment for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was seen with a somber expression as the results were announced: Portugal and Austria were elected – not Germany.

This is being considered the most severe foreign policy defeat for the coalition of Christian Democrats/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and the center-left Social Democratic Party, in office for just over a year – with nothing to celebrate.

Germany FAILS to secure place at UN Security Council — 1st time Berlin’s EVER missed out on a rotating seat

Icing on the cake: ex-German FM Baerbock’s face as she reads out the results pic.twitter.com/46UQP3ucdF

— RT (@RT_com) June 3, 2026

Deutsche Welle reported:

“Speaking with ARD television several hours later, Wadephul acknowledged as much. He even revealed that he had considered resigning in the event of a defeat, but ultimately dismissed the idea.

‘I have nothing to blame myself for’, said the CDU politician. He conceded, however, that the decision was ‘a real disappointment’, and promised to conduct a ‘thorough analysis’ of the reasons for Germany’s failure.”

After Germany’s resounding defeat in the race for a seat on the UN Security Council, one thing has become clear: the country is in intensive care. An opinion piece by Euronews’ Editorial Director, Claus Strunz. #EuropeNews
➡️ https://t.co/H91Cw1pbY7 pic.twitter.com/BPPpQ5VQDW

— euronews (@euronews) June 4, 2026

Germany is the fourth largest contributor to the UN budget, but that was not enough to secure the necessary votes.

“Austria and Portugal had already expressed their interest in a seat on the UN Security Council more than 10 years ago, and had shown up on multiple occasions with a strong government presence at UN headquarters in New York. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, on the other hand, chose not to attend the UN General Assembly last year. Then, as on Wednesday, he sent Wadephul.

[…] For Germany, the failure of its bid for a seat on the UN Security Council marks a first. In addition to the five permanent members — the US, China, Russia, France and the United Kingdom — there are 10 non-permanent members who rotate every two years. Since 1987, Germany, one of the world’s most economically powerful countries, had been elected to the body every eight years. That streak is now over.”

🇩🇪 Germany fails for the first time to win a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council

🗳️ Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul calls the result a “bitter defeat,” suggesting Berlin’s positions on Ukraine and Israel may have cost it votes https://t.co/QGNNzjag6m pic.twitter.com/r2m6L4j64g

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) June 3, 2026

BBC reported:

“[German foreign minister] Johann Wadephul described losing out to Portugal and Austria as a ‘bitter defeat’ after a vote on which countries would become one of the five new members of the council was held on Wednesday evening.

‘There is our firm support for Ukraine, the fact that Russia does not want such a voice at the Security Council’, Wadephul said, adding it was ‘no secret’ Russia had stirred up sentiment against Germany.”

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