German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke critically of recent remarks made by U.S. Vice President JD Vance during the Munich Security Conference.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany delivered a strong rebuttal to U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Saturday, following Vance’s controversial statement advocating for the acceptance of far-right political parties by European leaders.
At the Munich Security Conference, Scholz highlighted the significance of remembering the Holocaust, referencing Vance’s recent visit to the Dachau concentration camp where the phrase “never again” was prominently featured.
Scholz asserted that this commitment to “never again” must extend to political entities such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has been accused of downplaying the atrocities committed during the Nazi era.
Scholz further emphasized that Germany would not tolerate external interference in its electoral processes, stating, “That is not done, certainly not among friends and allies.”
These exchanges come just ahead of a critical election in Germany, where the AfD, which has garnered support from influential figures including former Trump advisor Elon Musk, is currently polling in second place.
The AfD, founded in 2013, positions itself as a nationalist party, frequently attributing the country’s challenges to immigration. The party remains under surveillance by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency due to concerns over extremism, allegations which it firmly denies.
Last year marked a historic moment for the AfD, as it emerged as the first far-right party since World War II to secure the highest number of votes in a state election. Despite this, it has yet to join a federal governing coalition due to a consensus among other parties to avoid collaboration with the AfD.
During his speech, Vance did not specifically mention the AfD but urged German parties to dismantle the “firewall” that prevents collaboration with far-right factions, a statement that caught many European leaders by surprise.
“Europeans, the people, have a voice,” Vance declared. “You can embrace what your people tell you, even when it’s surprising, even when you don’t agree.”
Additionally, Vance met with AfD leader Alice Weidel and held discussions with prominent German officials including President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Scholz this week, further escalating scrutiny over U.S. political influence in Germany.
