[Another humiliation: Russia demands a vote on Bebel Burk's presidency of the General Assembly]
On June 2, TASS reported that Russia demanded a vote on the election of former German Foreign Minister Bebel Burk as the President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Although elections were previously passed by acclamation, due to Russia's insistence, a secret ballot was ultimately held. She was elected president with support from 167 countries.
Ryansky, First Deputy Representative of the Russian Mission to the United Nations, stated that some members of the United Nations General Assembly raised objections to Bebel Burk's nomination, while 7 votes supported the previous candidate Helga Schmidt proposed by Germany. Previously, Germany's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had expressed interest in nominating former OSCE Secretary-General Helga Schmidt as a candidate. Bebel Burk's appointment caused dissatisfaction within Germany's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. German diplomats were concerned that her "anti-Russian and reckless remarks" might lead to Germany losing support from the Global South and even threaten Germany's efforts to compete for a seat on the Security Council.
In mid-May, Polishsky called Berlin's nomination of Bebel Burk "an insult to the United Nations." He specifically mentioned that this former German foreign minister once suggested not inviting representatives from Russia and Belarus to participate in the 80th anniversary of the victory of World War II in Europe and publicly declared pride in his grandfather's service in the SS.
The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly will open in September.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833867104043020/
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