Germany is at the final week of its election campaign as tensions rose with claims of US interference that are alleged to have favored the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The conflict grew stronger following a statement from US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference where he asked German politicians to abandon their "firewall" against the far right.
US Intervention Sparks Outrage
Vice President Vance's speech in Munich chastised European governments for boycotting right-wing populist parties from the political scene. The real threat to Europe, in his opinion, is not from external forces like Russia or China, but internal stifling of free speech and political correctness. Vance stated, "There is no place for 'firewalls' in a true democracy." (The Guardian)
These statements have been followed by acerbic criticism from German political leaders. Right-wing CDU candidate and incumbent leader Friedrich Merz exclaimed, "I will not let a U.S. Vice President tell me who I have to talk to here in Germany." He reiterated his commitment to the political sovereignty of Germany and rejected any form of external interference. (Anadolu Agency)
Chancellor Olaf Scholz also criticized Vance's statement as "unacceptable," confirming there would be "no cooperation with the extreme right." The German government has always taken a stand against any coalition with far-right parties, considering them anti-democratic.
Foreign Endorsements and AfD's Response
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel attributed Vice President Vance's encouragement. "We should not build firewalls to exclude tens of millions of voters in advance—we must speak to each other." Weidel's statement highlights the AfD battle against political isolation in Germany. (Financial Times)
Adding to the outrage, billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has openly endorsed the AfD, triggering further controversy about foreign interference in German politics. Musk's support has been criticized by mainstream German politicians, who view such endorsements as inappropriate meddling. (Politico EU)
Public Sentiment and Concerns
As per a recent survey, nearly 90% of Germans are of the opinion that foreign powers, here Russia and the U.S., are attempting to influence the upcoming national elections through social media and other means. (U.S. News)
The German government is worried about foreign interference and highlights the necessity to preserve the integrity of the electoral process. The elections are being secured against hybrid threats and disinformation operations. (German Interior Ministry)
Implications for Transatlantic Relations
Vice President Vance's comments have strained relations between the U.S. and Germany, with German leaders accusing the U.S. administration of interference in internal affairs. This is added to ongoing U.S. moves on the Ukraine crisis, including calls for immediate negotiations with Russia and opposition to Ukrainian entry into NATO. These have helped create an impression of a widening transatlantic divide on values and democracy. (Financial Times)
Conclusion
As Germany races towards February 23 elections, foreign interference debate, particularly by the U.S., has become a rallying point. Backlash over Vice President Vance's statement and endorsement by individuals such as Elon Musk has fueled demands regarding the role of the far right in German politics as well as the health of the democratic system. The outcome of the vote will not only decide Germany's future politics but also have significant implications for its relationships with international partners.
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