German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has strongly criticized U.S. Vice President JD Vance for his comments on European democracy and his meeting with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party leader, Alice Weidel, just days before Germany's parliamentary elections on February 23. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Scholz defended his stance against the far-right and emphasized that Germany will not accept interference from outsiders in its democratic processes. "We will not accept outsiders interfering in our democracy, our elections, and democratic opinion formation process in favor of this party, especially not friends and allies," Scholz said. "We firmly reject this. We will determine our democracy's future ourselves." Scholz's comments came in response to Vance's speech on Friday, where he criticized European governments for their approach to democracy and claimed that free speech across the continent is "in retreat." Vance also met with Weidel, indicating support for the AfD party, which has been shunned by mainstream German parties due to its anti-democratic positions. Scholz reiterated that Germany is a strong democracy and that the extreme right should be kept out of political control and decision-making processes. He also highlighted that free speech in Europe means not attacking others in ways that are against legislation and laws in the country. The exchange between Scholz and Vance reflects the growing tensions between European leaders and the Trump administration over issues such as democracy and Ukraine's future. European leaders have been trying to make sense of a tough new line from Washington, which continues to upend trans-Atlantic conventions that have been in place since after World War II. Scholz's firm stance against outside interference in German elections underscores the importance of maintaining democratic sovereignty and adhering to established norms in international relations.

The controversy surrounding Vance's comments and meeting with Weidel has sparked widespread condemnation, with many viewing it as a breach of diplomatic norms. The incident has also highlighted the challenges in maintaining a unified front against authoritarianism and extremism in Europe. Scholz's response emphasizes the need for European countries to stand firm against external pressures and to protect their democratic values. The upcoming German elections will be a critical test of these principles, as the AfD party seeks to gain more influence in the political landscape. The situation underscores the importance of maintaining strong democratic institutions and adhering to established norms in international relations to ensure the stability and security of Europe.