Germany loses UN Security Council non-permanent seat election (legrandcontinent.eu)

• Germany received 104 votes, Portugal 134, Austria 131; needed 127.
• First time Germany lost a UN Security Council election since reunification.
• Chancellor Merz had invested heavily in the campaign; defeat weakens his domestic standing.

"On June 3, 2026, the UN General Assembly elected Portugal and Austria to two non-permanent seats on the Security Council. Germany received only 104 votes, far below the required 127. It is the first time Germany has lost such an election. The likely cause is Germany's steadfast support for Israel following the 2023 Hamas attack, alienating many member states. The defeat is a setback for Chancellor Merz, who had staked his foreign policy agenda on a strong UN role."