JD Vance's Munich Speech Strains US-European Relations

The US vice president's remarks on immigration, freedom of expression, and far-right politics draw sharp rebukes from European leaders ahead of key German elections.

JD Vance, US vice president, criticized Europe's handling of immigration and freedom of expression in a speech at the Munich Security Conference.
He called for the removal of 'cordon sanitaire' policies that prevent far-right parties like Germany's AfD from forming coalitions, sparking accusations of interference in German politics.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denounced Vance's remarks, emphasizing that Germany alone determines its democratic direction and rejecting external influence on its elections.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot defended Europe's model, stating that freedom of expression is protected and that no external model should be imposed on the continent.
While Vance's speech was widely criticized by European leaders, some right-wing figures in France praised it as a necessary critique of European policies.