Germany has failed in its bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, losing out to smaller EU partners Austria and Portugal. This is being seen as a bitter defeat for a major UN contributor and for German foreign policy. Critics, including former UN Ambassador Christoph Heusgen and FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, criticize a too-late and amateurish application process, a lack of long-term trust-building, and the absence of the Chancellor at important UN events. CDU politicians such as Manfred Pentz and Roderich Kiesewetter question the high UN contributions in light of the lack of influence and call for a more strategic and targeted foreign policy. Possible reasons for the defeat are also seen in Germany's policies on Israel and Ukraine, as well as a general deficit in credibility.