Portugal and Austria have defeated Germany in a tightly contested election for seats on the United Nations Security Council, securing two of the five rotating positions available for the 2025-2026 term. The vote, held on Wednesday in the General Assembly, saw Portugal receive 134 votes and Austria 131, while Germany, a previous six-term member, garnered only 104.
The Security Council consists of 15 members, including five permanent veto-wielding nations: the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France. The remaining ten seats are allocated by region and filled through secret ballot elections each year, with successful candidates serving two-year terms starting January 1.
In another contested race, Kyrgyzstan defeated the Philippines after four rounds of voting, winning 143-49 to secure its first-ever council seat. Zimbabwe and Trinidad and Tobago, running unopposed for African and Caribbean slots respectively, were elected with over 180 votes each.
Austria’s foreign ministry hailed the result as the culmination of a 15-year campaign and a strong international vote of confidence. The five new members will replace Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia.
The Security Council, tasked with maintaining global peace and security under the UN Charter, has faced criticism for its inability to address major conflicts due to veto use—Russia on Ukraine, and the United States on Gaza and Iran. Reform efforts to better reflect modern geopolitical realities have stalled, though a new push is underway.
