Vance Urges Germany to Collaborate with Far-Right Ahead of Elections

During his speech at the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance urged German political leaders to abandon their longstanding opposition to cooperating with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is polling second ahead of national elections. Vance emphasized the importance of acknowledging the voices of all voters, stating, 'Democracy rests on the sacred principle that the voice of the people matters,' and criticized existing 'firewalls' that prevent dialogue with populist parties. His comments were met with backlash from German officials, who accused him of meddling in their domestic affairs. Vance also defended the AfD's anti-immigration stance and suggested that European concerns about Russian disinformation are exaggerated compared to the pressing issues of migration. The AfD is poised for its best electoral results yet, reflecting growing support for its nationalist policies amid rising concerns over immigration in Germany. This marks a significant moment as Vance becomes the first senior U.S. official to meet with an AfD leader, potentially influencing the party's acceptance in mainstream politics.