German Chancellor Olaf Scholz firmly rejected any external influence on Germany’s democracy, stating that his country will not tolerate “third-party intervention” in its political affairs.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Scholz emphasized that Germans alone will determine the course of their democracy. “We will decide the direction of our democracy—us and no one else,” he declared. His comments followed U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s speech, which criticized European leaders for their handling of democratic issues.
Scholz’s remarks come just a week before key parliamentary elections in Germany, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is currently polling in second place. He made it clear that Germany would not accept any external efforts to support AfD, condemning Vance’s critique of the party’s exclusion from the political mainstream.
Germany Stands Firm on Ukraine and Transatlantic Security
Addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine, Scholz reiterated that peace is impossible without securing Ukraine’s sovereignty. “Germany will never support a peace deal imposed on Kyiv,” he affirmed.
Scholz also rejected the idea of separating European and American security, pushing back against concerns over the U.S. commitment to European defense under President Donald Trump. While Germany will continue purchasing American military equipment, Scholz stressed the importance of a strong European defense industry.
“We will not abandon transatlantic cooperation in defense industries,” he stated.
U.S.-Europe Tensions Over Democracy and Ukraine
European leaders are grappling with Washington’s tougher stance on democracy and Ukraine under Trump’s administration, which is challenging long-standing transatlantic alliances. Vance, in his speech, warned European officials about free speech restrictions and migration policies, arguing that they risk losing public support if they do not change course.
On the sidelines of the conference, Vance met with AfD co-chair Alice Weidel, a controversial move given that Germany’s mainstream parties have long refused to collaborate with the far-right party due to its extremist views.
Meanwhile, Trump recently spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting an upcoming summit to negotiate a peace deal in Ukraine. Trump later assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Kyiv would have a place at the negotiating table. However, Zelensky insisted that Ukraine must receive security guarantees before engaging in talks with Russia.
