UN Elects Five New Security Council Members for 2027
Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago and Zimbabwe were elected to two-year terms on the UN Security Council starting in 2027. Germany failed to secure a seat after losing the Western European vote to Portugal and Austria, while Kyrgyzstan won its first-ever seat.
The United Nations General Assembly elected five countries to the Security Council on Wednesday for two-year terms starting January 1, 2027. Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe secured seats on the 15-member body. These nations gain the power to shape legally binding international policy, including sanctions and the authorization of military force.
### Germany Falls Short in Western Group Germany failed to secure a seat despite having lobbied hard for the position. It received 104 votes, trailing Portugal's 134 and Austria's 131 in the contest for two spots allocated to the Western European and Others Group.
