Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized U.S. VP JD Vance for suggesting European leaders should not shy away from engaging with far-right parties, specifically referencing Germany's AfD. During a speech at the Munich Security Conference, Scholz linked the phrase "never again" associated with Holocaust remembrance to the need for rejection of extremist political movements like the AfD, which downplays Nazi atrocities. As Germany nears a significant election, the AfD, polling well, faces scrutiny for its nationalist rhetoric and past associations. Scholz emphasized that foreign interventions in German elections would not be tolerated, reinforcing a stance against normalization of extremist politics.
Scholz emphasized that a commitment to "never again" also applies to political parties like Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany party, which downplays the Nazi regime.
Vance did not mention the AfD directly but stated that German parties should drop the "firewall", surprising European leaders at the conference.
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