US Vice President JD Vance sparked controversy with his speech in Munich, Germany, where he expressed support for far-right parties and criticized the suppression of conservative voices. The speech was a global extension of his core political themes, which have been divisive back home.
Vance defended the Alternative for Germany party, despite its classification as extremist by German intelligence. He also met with the party’s leader, Alice Weidel, during his visit to Germany. Vance’s comments were quickly rebuked by the Anti-Defamation League, which described them as “deeply concerning.”
The speech was seen as a departure from traditional diplomacy and sparked criticism from European leaders. Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt called it “blatant interference in the election campaign” for the far-right AfD party.
Vance’s comments on immigration and free speech echoed his views during the 2024 US presidential campaign, where he criticized censorship of conservatives and promoted baseless claims about Haitian migrants. He urged European leaders to broaden their tolerance for alternative viewpoints, saying there was “no room for firewalls” around differing opinions.
The controversy highlights the increasing influence of populist movements globally, with far-right parties on the rise in Europe and the US. Vance’s speech has been seen as a attempt to connect with conservative voters in both countries.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/us/politics/vance-far-right-germany-munich-afd.html