German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Friday lashed out at Vice President J.D. Vance’s criticism of the state of democracy in Europe, saying it was “unacceptable” to compare democratic nations like his with authoritarian regimes such as Russia.
European officials at the Munich Security Conference in Germany expected Mr. Vance to provide details about the Trump administration’s concept of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Instead, he devoted much of his address to a lengthy critique of what he said European nations’ failure to uphold democratic values and the principles of free speech.
“What I worry about is the threat from within, the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America,” Mr. Vance said Friday during his address at the security conference.
During his speech at the conference a couple of hours later, Mr. Pistorius said he didn’t recognize the Europe that the American vice president was describing.
“This is not the democracy where I live and where I am campaigning right now,” he said. “This is not the democracy that I witness every day.”
Mr. Pistorius said opinions across the spectrum are allowed inside the Bundestag, Germany’s federal parliament. Democracy is why a right-tilting political party like AfD, Alternative for Germany, is allowed to participate in the political process, he said.
“We even admit media that spread Russian propaganda and the representatives of the federal government answer their questions. Nobody is excluded,” said Mr. Pistorius, a member of Germany’s center-left Social Democratic Party.
Democracy doesn’t mean that a “vociferous minority” will be able to decide what truth is. A country must be able to defend itself against extremists who would seek to destroy it, Mr. Pistorius said.
“I am happy to live in a Europe where this democracy is defended every day against its internal and external enemies,” Mr. Pistorius said. “We not only know against whom we defend our countries but also what we defend it for. It’s for democracy, for freedom of opinion, for the rule of law, and the dignity of everyone.”
Mr. Pistorius said he wanted to focus his speech on the pressing question of European and transatlantic security, “unlike the vice president.” He said recent days have confirmed what many have speculated for months about the new Trump administration.
“The United States is pushing for a quick peace settlement between Russia and Ukraine,” the German defense chief said. “They expect Europe to take the lead in securing any agreement that follows.”
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.