Germany’s transformation from a divided Cold War battleground in the struggle between East and West to Europe's essential nation now finds itself in a position to use the political capital it has gained over the last 20 years to take the next step in solidifying itself as one of the world’s major powers as it bids for a nonpermanent UN Security Council seat.

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has been working to convince the UN's Member States that Germany’s credentials for a place at the table on the...