New York, NY, United States (AHN) – Germany and Portugal have won the United Nations Security Council seats along with India, Colombia and South Africa, which secured terms in uncontested votes for two years. Germany and Portugal were vying for a West European dominated regional group along with Canada.

Germany earned 128 votes in the opening round, one vote more than the required two-third majority. Portugal earned victory after Canada pulled out even when the second round was not completed.

All five members are elected to two year terms. The permanent members of the 15-member Security Council – Britain, France, Russia, China and the U.S. – may veto the resolution any time.

The new countries will replace Japan, Austria, Turkey, Mexico and Uganda only to give the UNSC an entirely new political profile. Meanwhile, the new countries – India, Germany and South Africa – have intensified pressure on the main global peace and security body to grant them a permanent role in the council.

Brazil is also keen on change, as it will go into a second year as a non-permanent member in the council. “We will discuss a reform of the UN, but not now, not today. It’s necessary to change the structures to make the UN more effective,” said German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle.

“The vote is a success for Germany. It shows that the world has trust in us. We will do everything to justify that trust,” he added.

He said that Germany would focus on peace, security, climate protection, development, disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. “Germany is reliable – not only when it comes to its products but also when it comes to its foreign policy. The world knows it can rely on Germany,” he told reporters.

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