German Chancellor Olaf Scholz issued a sharp rebuttal to U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference this weekend, defending Europe\u2019s efforts to counter far-right extremism and rejecting accusations of censorship in free speech debates.
The clash began when Vance criticized Germany\u2019s mainstream parties for maintaining a \u201cfirewall\u201d against the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a nationalist party under surveillance for extremism. Vance met with AfD leaders and endorsed them as potential partners, prompting Scholz to call the move \u201cunwelcome election interference.\u201d
\u201cIt\u2019s not appropriate for allies to dictate how we safeguard democracy,\u201d Scholz said, citing Germany\u2019s historical reckoning with fascism. \u201cNever again means opposing anyone who downplays the crimes of National Socialism.\u201d
The AfD, which blames immigrants for many of Germany\u2019s challenges, recently gained historic electoral support but remains excluded from federal coalitions due to a cross-party pact against collaboration. Scholz emphasized that Europe\u2019s democracies \u201ccan defend themselves against radical anti-democrats\u201d through institutional safeguards.
French Foreign Minister Jean-No\u00ebl Barrot echoed the sentiment, stating on X: \u201cNo one can impose their model on us. Freedom of speech is guaranteed here.\u201d
Vance\u2019s focus on immigration and free speech surprised delegates expecting discussions on Ukraine. His remarks drew muted reactions, with Scholz quipping dryly: \u201cYou mean all these relevant discussions about European security?\u201d
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
