As Germany enters the final week of its election campaign, tensions are reaching a boiling point. With a resurgent far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and a bitter debate on migration dominating the political discourse, the latest controversy centers around comments made by US Vice President JD Vance. His remarks advocating for the inclusion of the far right in government have triggered widespread backlash, intensifying an already volatile election landscape.

During a speech in Munich last week, Vance urged Germany to abandon its long-standing political firewall against the far right, suggesting that excluding the AfD from coalition talks would be undemocratic. His intervention in German politics was seen by many as an outright endorsement of the far-right party, further inflaming an already heated election atmosphere.

The remarks sparked mass protests, with tens of thousands taking to the streets of Berlin on February 16 to denounce what they saw as blatant US interference. The controversy also became the focal point of the latest televised debate between the top candidates, fueling an already fierce battle for voter support.

Leading candidates wasted no time in responding to Vance’s remarks. Friedrich Merz, the conservative CDU candidate whose party is leading the polls at around 30%, strongly rebuked the vice president’s statements.

“I will not allow an American vice president to tell me who I can talk to here in Germany,” Merz declared, positioning himself as a staunch defender of German........

© Blitz