Germany mulls cutting UN dues after failing to win Security Council seat

Germany is facing a growing political backlash after failing to win a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council. Opposition parties have called the outcome a "diplomatic disaster," and calls have emerged for Germany — the second-largest contributor to the UN — to reduce its financial contributions.

According to the German daily Tagesspiegel, the state government of Hesse moved to demand a review of Germany's UN dues almost immediately after the election result was announced local time.

Manfred Pentz, Hesse's minister for international affairs and a member of the ruling Christian Democratic Union, said Germany — one of the world's largest economies — was being shut out of key international decision-making. "If we cannot exercise the influence we deserve at the UN, I question why we should keep paying so much money," he said.

According to the German United Nations Association (DGVN), Germany spent roughly 4.4 billion euros (approximately 7.9 trillion won) on the UN in 2024, the second-highest amount after the United States.

Germany's mandatory assessed contribution is lower than those of the United States, China and Japan, but voluntary donations to individual agencies — covering refugees, food, health and children — account for more than 80 percent of its total contributions. The UN is already under severe financial strain after President Donald Trump's administration stopped paying US dues in full.

The calls to cut contributions come as the German government slashes social welfare spending while taking on massive debt to fund defense and infrastructure investment. The government estimates it will need to raise 196.5 billion euros (351.9 trillion won) in new debt next year.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, speaking on the day Germany lost the vote — referenced the government's fiscal deficit and said participation in UN projects would need to be assessed case by case, adding that Germany should "assert its interests more clearly in some areas." But as pressure mounted over accountability for the defeat, he reversed course the following day, saying Germany should "engage actively with the UN as it has done so far" and expressing skepticism about cutting dues.

The defeat has prompted broader criticism that Germany's foreign policy has failed comprehensively — that its support for Israel and deference to the United States alienated Global South nations. The Greens said Germany "has lost a great deal of credibility on the international stage over the past few months," noting that many countries in South America and Africa had taken note of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's indifference and arrogant remarks.

Merz drew fierce criticism last November for disparaging remarks about Brazil, which hosted the UN Climate Change Conference. After returning from the summit, he told reporters traveling with him that he had asked whether anyone wanted to stay behind — and no one raised their hand. "Everyone was happy to be coming back to Germany," he said. Eduardo Paes, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, responded on X, formerly Twitter, calling Merz a "Nazi" and "Hitler's vagrant son."

In the vote, Germany received only 104 votes, falling far short of Austria (134 votes) and Portugal (131 votes), which claimed the two Western European and Others Group nonpermanent seats. A candidate needs the support of at least two-thirds of all member states — a minimum of 127 countries — to be elected. When Germany last won a nonpermanent seat in 2018, 96.8 percent of member states voted in favor; this time, that figure was limited to 54.7 percent.

Other countries have also interpreted the result as a rebuke of Germany's foreign policy positions.

Austria's ORF broadcaster asked Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger whether she believed the international community had rejected Germany's stance on issues including the war in the Middle East. While she stopped short of agreeing, she said the result sent a signal that "Austria, though a small country, is a reliable partner and bridge-builder."

Euronews was more blunt. "Germany has clearly lost credibility. It is no longer taken seriously politically and is seen as a country in economic decline," it said. "It has become clear that Germany is lying in intensive care."