AUSTRIA and Portugal defeated Germany for seats on the powerful United Nations security council on Wednesday in a hotly contested race.

The 10 rotating seats on the 15-member security council are earmarked for different regions of the world. 

The assembly elects five countries by secret ballot every year to serve two-year terms alongside the council’s five permanent members, Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, which alone wield vetoes.

In the other contested race, Kyrgyzstan defeated the Philippines and will join the council for the first time.

Zimbabwe, the African candidate, and Caribbean candidate Trinidad and Tobago were elected unopposed.

“Obviously, the result is a real disappointment,” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told reporters. 

He said Russia campaigned against Germany because of its strong support for Ukraine. 

“It also may have cost us votes that Germany must always assume a special responsibility for Israel with regard to the Middle East conflict,” he said.

Austria’s foreign ministry said that its election capped a 15-year campaign and is a “strong international sign of confidence” in the country.

Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev told reporters “we understand now is a turbulent time” and said Kyrgyzstan will work together with other council members.The five new members will take up their seats on January 1.

They will replace Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia.