Chancellor Olaf Scholz has criticized U.S. Vice President JD Vance for supporting the far-right AfD party, stating that Germany will not accept foreign interference in its elections. Vance’s speech, which disparaged the treatment of the AfD in Europe, shocked many attendees. His subsequent meeting with AfD leaders raised concerns about diplomatic propriety as Germany approaches its parliamentary elections.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has publicly condemned U.S. Vice President JD Vance for endorsing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party during a speech at the Munich Security Conference. Scholz asserted that Germany would not tolerate external interference in its democratic processes, saying, “We will not accept outsiders interfering in our democracy, our elections, and democratic opinion formation process in favor of this party, especially not friends and allies.” This statement comes after Vance’s remarks criticized European governments’ treatment of the AfD, highlighting perceived threats to democratic values within Europe itself.
In his controversial address, Vance claimed that Europe is facing its greatest threats from internal issues rather than external forces such as Russia or China. He contended that fundamental values are being undermined and pointed to actions by the European Union Commission that he accused of restricting social media freedoms. His critique of the European judicial system’s handling of election results further fueled the debate about democracy in Europe.
The situation intensified following Vance’s meeting with AfD co-chair Alice Weidel, which raised eyebrows given diplomatic norms, particularly as Germany approaches parliamentary elections on February 23. Conference organizers had excluded Weidel from attending due to her party’s anti-democratic stance. Vance’s comments drew significant disapproval from many conference participants, who noted the need for shared commitment to democratic principles among allies.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s strong rebuke of U.S. Vice President JD Vance highlights the delicate interplay between international diplomacy and national sovereignty, particularly in the context of electoral integrity. Scholz’s emphasis on self-determination in democratic processes underscores Germany’s rejection of external influence, particularly from allies, in its political affairs. The incident raises vital discussions about the compatibility of support for extremist political parties within democratic frameworks.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
