Vance eviscerates ‘Soviet’-style European censorship in address to Munich Security Conference

European leaders were taken aback by Vice President JD Vance’s recent speech at the Munich Security Conference, where he warned that the continent’s recent censorship activities posed a greater threat to its existence than external actors like Russia and China. Vance expressed concern over the retreat of Europe from its fundamental values, highlighting instances of censorship and election interference.

Vance criticized former European Commissioner Thierry Breton for suggesting that a right-wing party’s victory in Germany could lead to a situation similar to Romania, where election results were annulled due to alleged Russian influence. He emphasized the importance of upholding democratic values and questioned the strength of democracies that could be swayed by foreign interference.

The vice president also called out the organizers of the Munich conference for barring lawmakers from populist parties on both the left and right, citing a rejection of dialogue and democratic principles. He warned that Europe had forgotten the lessons of the Cold War and the dangers of censorship, pointing to recent incidents in countries like the UK and Sweden where freedom of expression was restricted.

Vance’s speech deviated from the expected discussion on President Trump’s peace plan for Russia and Ukraine, focusing instead on the need for a positive vision and the defense of democratic values. He urged European leaders to confront the crisis of their own making and not to fear the voices of their own people.

Overall, Vance’s speech highlighted the importance of protecting freedom of expression and democracy in the face of increasing censorship and authoritarian tendencies. His remarks served as a stark reminder of the need to uphold fundamental values in the midst of political challenges and external threats.