Germany’s Chancellor Defends Democratic Values at Munich Conference
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz didn’t hold back during the Munich Security Conference this weekend, firing back at U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s criticism of Europe’s stance on hate speech and the far right. 🌍✋ “It’s not appropriate for others to tell Europe what to do,” Scholz declared, defending Germany’s commitment to guarding democracy against extremism.
The Far-Right Flashpoint 🔥
The clash began after Vance met with members of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), a party monitored by intelligence agencies for extremism. Vance praised the AfD as a potential partner, sparking backlash from Scholz, who called the move “unwelcome election interference.” 🇩🇪 The AfD, which has downplayed Nazi atrocities, saw historic gains in recent state elections—a first for a far-right group since WWII.
“Never Again” Means Never Again
Scholz invoked Germany’s hard-learned historical lessons: “Never again fascism, never again racism. Our institutions exist to protect freedom, not restrict it.” 📜 French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot echoed the sentiment on X, saying Europe’s model “protects free speech while defending democracy from its enemies.”
Ukraine Overshadowed? 🤔
While the conference was expected to focus on Ukraine-Russia peace talks, Vance shifted attention to immigration and free speech, calling Europe’s policies “a retreat from fundamental values.” His remarks drew stunned silence—and Scholz’s sarcastic quip: “You mean all these discussions about Ukraine?” 💬 The crowd erupted in laughter and applause.
