US Vice President Vance Meets with AfD Leader Weidel in Munich
Munich, Germany – US Vice President J.D. Vance has held a meeting with Alice Weidel, the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, in the Bavarian capital of Munich. The meeting was confirmed by Weidel’s spokesperson to the German news agency dpa.
According to the spokesperson, Weidel and Vance met at the US Vice President’s hotel in Munich shortly after Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference, which had sparked significant controversy.
The atmosphere was described as relaxed and friendly, the spokesperson said. The main topic of discussion was the ongoing war in Ukraine, but they also discussed Vance’s call for a cordon sanitaire against extremist parties in his speech.
Vance is reported to have expressed sympathy for the AfD during the meeting.
A spokesperson for the US Vice President also confirmed the meeting, stating that Vance had met with leading politicians from all major German parties. Vance also met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz, and Chief of Staff to the German Chancellor Wolfgang Schmidt.
Background
The AfD is a far-right political party in Germany known for its anti-immigrant and anti-EU rhetoric. The party has been criticized for its ties to neo-Nazi groups and its support for conspiracy theories.
Vance, a Republican, was elected US Vice President in 2024. He is a former author and venture capitalist known for his conservative views.
Reactions
The meeting between Vance and Weidel has drawn mixed reactions. Some observers have expressed concern about Vance’s willingness to meet with the leader of a far-right party. Others have argued that it is important for the US to engage with all political parties in Germany.
The CDU, Germany’s largest opposition party, has criticized the meeting, with one spokesperson calling it a "mistake." The Green Party, which is part of the governing coalition, has also expressed concern.
Implications
The meeting between Vance and Weidel is likely to have implications for the relationship between the US and Germany. It could signal a shift in the US approach to far-right parties in Europe, or it could simply be a one-off meeting.
It remains to be seen how the meeting will affect Vance’s relationship with other German politicians and the German government as a whole.
