Berlin, Germany – German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), has responded to US Vice President J.D. Vance’s speech, which was delivered immediately after his own. Pistorius added a German introduction to the English speech manuscript for the purpose of responding to Vance’s remarks.
“I am a convinced transatlanticist, a passionate transatlanticist, a great friend of America” Pistorius began. “Therefore, I cannot let his speech pass without comment. If I understand him correctly, he compares the situations in some European parts with those of authoritarian regimes. Ladies and gentlemen, that is not acceptable.” The applause from the Munich Security Conference audience lasted longer at this point than after the end of Vance’s speech.
Earlier, Vance had stated that the greatest threat to European security did not come from China or Russia, but from the loss of freedom of opinion and democracy, which he illustrated with numerous examples from various countries, including the annulment of Romania’s presidential elections. Vance also criticized the exclusion of representatives from “left and right populist parties” from the security conference.
“That is not the Europe I live in and am currently campaigning in” Pistorius countered. “In this democracy, every opinion has a voice. It allows extremist parties like the AfD to hold a normal election campaign.” He also mentioned the Bundespressekonferenz, which is not organized by the government.
“In our press conferences, media outlets that spread Russian propaganda are also allowed to participate and government representatives must answer their questions. No one is excluded.” Pistorius likely referred to the representative of NachDenkSeiten, Florian Warweg, who had to fight for his seat in the press conference in court. Russian media have not been allowed for years.
Pistorius continued, “I am taking a strong stance against the impression Vice President Vance created, that in our democracy, minorities are suppressed or silenced.”
The examples of a lack of freedom of opinion in Europe, which Vance mentioned in his speech, also included censorship in social media.