“Berlin’s support for Ukraine, Israel may have played a role”: Germany’s FM Wadephul after UNSC seat loss

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New York: Germany has failed in its bid to secure one of the two rotating seats allocated to European countries on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Portugal and Austria won election to the UN body. According to a news report by Al Jazeera, this loss was particularly notable after Germany FM Wadephul commented on the outcome.

Germany received 104 votes from the 193-member UN General Assembly (UNGA), while Portugal secured 134 votes and Austria received 131. The news report said this outcome. Additionally, the voting outcome was discussed by Germany FM Wadephul with reporters.

Speaking to reporters after the vote, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul noted that Berlin’s support for Ukraine and Israel may have played a role. In this context, Germany FM Wadephul emphasized the impact of foreign policy on the vote.

“We have always taken a clear stance on certain issues, and these are positions that not all member states share,” Wadephul said.

“The fact that Germany must always assume a special responsibility for Israel in the Middle East conflict may also have cost votes,” he said.

According to Al Jazeera, Germany, which has already served six terms on the Security Council, was unsuccessful in its attempt to return to the body for a seventh term.

Other countries elected to the council include Zimbabwe and Trinidad and Tobago. These two ran unopposed for seats representing Africa and the Caribbean, respectively. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan defeated the Philippines by a vote of 143-49. This result allowed Kyrgyzstan to claim the seat allocated to Asia.

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Reacting to Germany’s defeat, a former UN human rights official, Craig Mokhiber, described the result as a significant rebuke. He characterised Germany’s failed bid as a “rare moment of justice” and an “unprecedented loss” for the country. He argued Berlin’s positions on Palestine, Iran and “repression of human rights defenders inside Germany”.

In a post on X, he said, “In a rare moment of justice at the UN General Assembly today, Germany lost its bid for a UN Security Council seat. Germany’s scandalous support for genocide in Palestine and aggression against Iran, and its repression of human rights defenders inside Germany, were all on display as the body handed Germany this unprecedented loss.”

He continued, “Even former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who presided over the election as current UNGA President, could not save Germany from this well-deserved humiliation. Germany’s money can no longer erase its responsibility for genocides in Namibia, Europe, and Palestine.” As Germany FM Wadephul acknowledged, this outcome held significant implications for the country.

The newly elected members will begin their two-year terms on January 1, 2027.

The UN Security Council (UNSC) consists of 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Therefore, Germany FM Wadephul has noted Germany’s efforts to secure membership.

(ANI)

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