UN General Assembly Elects New Non-Permanent Members for Security Council

The United Nations General Assembly has elected five new non-permanent members to the Security Council, including Austria and Portugal. Germany faced a significant defeat in the election, which has raised concerns about its foreign policy stance. The new members will serve from 2027 to 2028, joining existing members in a crucial role in international governance. This election highlights the complexities of global diplomacy and the influence of geopolitical alliances.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 4, 2026, 14:57 IST

New Non-Permanent Members Elected

The United Nations General Assembly, consisting of 193 member states, has elected five new non-permanent members to the Security Council. Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe will take over from Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia when their terms end in 2026. These newly elected members will serve a two-year term starting from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2028.

Germany faced a significant setback during the election, securing only 104 votes in the Western European and Other States category. In contrast, Portugal and Austria won the two available seats with 134 and 131 votes, respectively. The announcement of the results was made by Annalena Baerbock, the President of the UN General Assembly and former German Foreign Minister.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed disappointment over the outcome, labeling it a "bitter defeat." He noted that Germany's strong support for Ukraine may have influenced the voting, as Russia reportedly campaigned against Germany's bid. Wadephul acknowledged that Germany's historical responsibility towards Israel in the context of the Middle East conflict might have also affected their chances.

The UN Security Council is composed of 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The newly elected members will join the current Council members, which include Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia, who will remain until the end of 2027. India, which last served as a non-permanent member in 2021-22, has announced its candidacy for the 2028-29 term.