German Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivered a strong rebuke on Saturday to U.S. Vice President JD Vance's attack on Europe's stance toward hate speech and the far right. Scholz's response came after Vance criticized European governments at the Munich Security Conference, accusing them of suppressing free speech and ignoring voter concerns on immigration. Vance's speech was met with widespread criticism from European politicians, who saw his remarks as an unwarranted interference in European affairs and an attempt to undermine democratic institutions. Scholz, in particular, was adamant in his defense of Germany's approach to dealing with far-right extremism, emphasizing the importance of a "firewall" against extreme right-wing parties due to Germany's past under National Socialism.

Scholz's comments were echoed by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who also criticized Vance's remarks as "not acceptable." Pistorius argued that democracy in Europe is stable and that everyone has the right to express their opinions freely. He further emphasized that comparing European democracies to authoritarian regimes is inappropriate and misleading. The controversy surrounding Vance's speech has highlighted the growing tensions between the United States and Europe, particularly in light of President Donald Trump's recent comments on immigration and free speech in Europe. Trump's endorsement of Vance's views has further strained relations, with European leaders expressing concern over the direction of U.S. foreign policy and its implications for transatlantic cooperation.

Vance's meeting with the leader of Germany's far-right AfD party, Alice Weidel, has also been seen as a provocative move, given the party's pariah status among other major political parties in Germany. The meeting has been criticized as an attempt to legitimize the AfD and undermine the consensus among German parties not to work with the far-right group. The Munich Security Conference continues, with further discussions expected on issues such as Ukraine, defense, and trade, amidst the backdrop of heightened tensions between the United States and Europe.