After two years of exclusion, the Munich Security Conference (MSC) has decided to invite members of the “Alternative for Germany” (AfD) party to the 2026 meeting. This decision follows sharp criticism from U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
For the past two years, AfD had been left out of this important international forum, where heads of state and top defense officials gather. However, the move came after Vance accused Germany of stifling freedom of speech by sidelining a party supported by millions of citizens.
Vance even met with AfD leader Alice Weidel shortly before Germany’s last elections, sending a clear message of support from the new U.S. administration.
Not everyone agrees with this invitation. Critics and some traditional German parties warn that AfD’s presence poses a risk, noting that some members maintain close contacts with Moscow and Beijing, which could lead to leaks of classified information.
Analysts suggest that this move represents a step toward accepting AfD as a “normal” party, despite German intelligence classifying it as an extremist group.
The organizers clarified that the invitation applies only to the main part of the conference, not to closed-door meetings discussing highly sensitive issues. The goal is to avoid AfD portraying itself as being silenced.
This news comes as AfD rises significantly in the polls and has become Germany’s main opposition force. While other parties refuse to cooperate with them, their invitation to such a prestigious international forum signals cracks in the isolation wall around extremists.
