German Political Opponents Unite Against Vance Week Before Vote

As the German federal election approaches on February 23, political opponents have united in their criticism of U.S. Vice President JD Vance's comments and actions during his visit to Germany. Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference and his meeting with Alice Weidel, the co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, have drawn sharp rebukes from German officials and political parties.

Vance's speech at the conference on Friday was met with murmurs from the audience and backlash from German officials. He lectured European governments about free speech, claiming that it is "in retreat" across the continent. Vance also criticized European leaders for boycotting populist parties and maintaining a "firewall" against the far-right, arguing that no democracy could survive telling millions of voters that their concerns are "invalid or unworthy of even being considered."

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius pushed back against Vance's comments, stating that "it is not the Europe and not the democracy in which I live and am currently campaigning." He emphasized that every opinion has a voice in German democracy and that the loud minority is not automatically right. Pistorius also noted that AfD's candidate for chancellor, Alice Weidel, was on prime-time German television on Thursday night along with other contenders, highlighting the party's ability to campaign freely.

Vance's meeting with Weidel, which took place one day after his visit to the Dachau concentration camp, further fueled the controversy. The meeting was seen as an endorsement of the AfD's extremist views and a tacit support for the party's anti-immigrant and Eurosceptic platform. Mainstream German parties, including the center-right CDU/CSU and the center-left SPD, have long refused to work with the AfD, creating a "firewall" against the party.

The upcoming election is shaping up to be a close race, with the AfD polling in second place with about 20% support. Vance's comments and actions could potentially influence the outcome of the election, either by boosting support for the AfD or by leading to a backlash against the party if they are seen as an attempt to interfere in Germany's democratic process.

In conclusion, German political opponents have united in their criticism of Vance's comments and actions, which they see as an attack on democratic values and an endorsement of extremist ideologies. The upcoming election is a pivotal moment for Germany, and Vance's visit and meeting with Weidel have added a layer of complexity to the political landscape. The ultimate impact of Vance's visit on the election will depend on a variety of factors, including the performance of AfD in the election and the willingness of mainstream parties to work with the party after the election.