US Vice President JD Vance delivered a speech at the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, southern Germany on February 14, 2025.
Thomas Kienzle | AFP | Getty Images
European leaders slammed the mainland’s democratic institutions on Friday in U.S. Vice President JD Vance, warning that its biggest threat came from internal factors.
He told the Munich Security Conference: “What I worry most is that the threat from Europe is not Russia, not China, not other external actors. What I worry about is the threat from internally.”
“Europe retreated from some of its most basic values, sharing values ​​with the United States of America,” he continued to be treated to the cold of the representative.
Global defense and security officials gathered in Munich, Germany for a three-day meeting. The future of Ukraine, peace negotiations with the ever-evolving security and defense buildings of Russia and Europe are all In the early stages of the discussion.
Participants have been hoping to get details from Vance Peace negotiations led by us To end the war in Ukraine, the war was proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this week.
Instead, they face criticism from the U.S. vice president of the United States for the health of democratic countries, immigration policies and freedom of speech.
“In the UK and across Europe, I’m worried that freedom of speech is retreating,” Vance said.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius addressed the delegate shortly after Vance, and his remarks were “unacceptable”.
“I prepared a speech today,” Pistorius said. “It should have been about European security. But I can’t start with my original intention.”
“The US Vice President is questioned about this democracy,” he continued. “He talked about the abolition of democracy and if I understand him correctly, he compared the conditions in parts of Europe with those in authoritarian government.”
Specifically, Vance questioned the presidential vote in Romania in December, which was repealed after a frustrated victory for a pro-Russian superman candidate. Authorities described the vote as the result of Russian intervention.
“If you’re afraid of the voice, opinions and conscience of the people who guide you, you’re insecure,” Vance said. “If you’re worried about your voters running, there’s nothing America can do.”
Vance, who regards Brexit as the will of the people, criticized Sweden and Germany for their response to politically fraught domestic issues.
Vance said that of all the pressing issues faced by the countries represented by Munich, none of them is more pressing than mass immigration.
“Increasingly, in Europe, they vote for those who promise to end uncontrolled immigration,” Vance said.
The Vice President’s comments are in a country where immigration and xenophobia are powerful forces to shape national politics.
At least 36 people were injured when a car crashed into a Munich crowd Thursday, officials said Friday that a 24-year-old failed Afghan shelter admitted to the attack. This follows a previous attack on the Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg in December.
Next week, Germans travel to the polls to compete in the national election, and the far-right alternative to German (AFD) parties is expected to make considerable gains.
