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Canada withdraws from race for Security Council seat

By Crawford Kilian October 12, 2010 09:50 am 5 comments

In a surprising development, Canada withdrew from the race for a Security Council after gaining only 78 votes on the second ballot.

In the first round, Germany won one of two seats in the Western European and Others group, with 128 votes out of 191. Portugal came second with 128, and Canada received 114 votes.

On the second ballot, Portugal received 113 votes to Canada's 78. A majority of 128 votes was required to win, so a third ballot was required despite Canada's sudden withdrawal. The decision appeared to be an effort to save face, but it will likely be seen as a serious political setback for the Conservative government.

Crawford Kilian is a contributing editor of The Tyee.

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  • Jeffrey J.

    1 year ago

    Harper Step on Rake, Handle Hits Face

    This is so deserved. Our arrogant, secretive and highly creepy PM in the past several years has deeply insulted China, slapped the Arab nations in the face, defended Israel's attack in Palestine, and even tried to strong arm the US. But somehow, he never thought there would be consequences, something I suppose he never really learned as a child.

    Now, finally, he stepped on the rake and the handle hits him (us) right in the face. Let's hope he's not surprised.

    We're better off getting out of the Security Business anyhow, so on all counts, getting the boot by the UN was a great move.

  • Van Isle

    1 year ago

    What makes me laugh is that

    What makes me laugh is that the Cons are blaming the opposition for Canada's failure to get on the council. This latest incident shows what complete morons the Conservatives are.

  • realisticman

    1 year ago

    Partisans

    It is unusual to have only one country with opposition party leaders playing partisan politics in Security Council application. Canada had that weird situation, neither Germany nor Portugal did.

  • G West

    1 year ago

    Bullshit only one man to blame for this

    Harper blew this for Canada - not surprisingly he's looking for someone else to blame - that's his typical spoiled child reaction.

    Why do think they call him Pee Wee Rambo.

  • realisticman

    1 year ago

    It's a little more nuanced than "Bullshit"

    Unless, of course, if you don't want any facts.

    http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/10/13/david-frum-un-puts-the-blocs-to-canada/

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