Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized US Vice President JD Vance for endorsing the far-right AfD party, asserting that Germany will not tolerate foreign interference in its elections. Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference, which suggested internal threats to European democracy, sparked significant backlash. His meeting with an AfD leader raised diplomatic concerns ahead of Germany’s elections.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed strong condemnation of US Vice President JD Vance’s remarks supporting the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. At the Munich Security Conference, Scholz stated, “We will not accept outsiders interfering in our democracy, our elections, and democratic opinion formation process in favor of this party.” He emphasized that Germany is committed to charting its own democratic path without foreign influence.
Vance’s controversial remarks about European democratic values were met with backlash. He criticized European governments for their approaches towards the AfD and claimed that the greatest threats to Europe stem from internal issues rather than external ones like Russia and China. His comments about the EU Commission curtailing social media freedom were particularly provocative.
Significantly, Vance met AfD Co-Chair Alice Weidel shortly after his speech, raising diplomatic eyebrows given upcoming parliamentary elections in Germany. This interaction, perceived as endorsement of the AfD, is seen as crossing established diplomatic norms, especially since the conference organizers specifically excluded Weidel due to her party’s extremist affiliations. Scholz’s defense of German democratic integrity comes amidst growing tensions.
Chancellor Scholz firmly rejected US Vice President JD Vance’s interference in German politics and underscored the importance of maintaining sovereignty over democratic processes. Vance’s speech raised concerns about the future of democratic values in Europe and his meeting with the AfD highlighted a contentious point in transatlantic relations. Scholz’s statements reinforced Germany’s commitment to self-determination in its electoral and democratic affairs.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
