At the Munich Security Conference last week, Vice President JD Vance delivered a stirring address in which he called on European leaders to embrace and live by the democratic principles that he believes are increasingly under threat across the continent.
Speaking before a packed hall of international delegates, media professionals, and dignitaries, Vance praised the conference hosts for their hospitality and expressed heartfelt solidarity with the people of Munich following a recent horrendous attack on the city.
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“We’re very moved, and our thoughts and prayers are with Munich and everybody affected by this evil,” he said, urging citizens to “stay off the roads and stay alive” during these uncertain times.
Vance emphasized that the foundation of democracy rests on shared values—particularly the rights to free speech and open debate.
“We must do more than talk about democratic values. We must live them,” he declared. Citing examples from across Europe, he criticized instances where government actions have curtailed free expression. “I look to Brussels, Sweden, Britain—each showing signs that free speech is in retreat,” Vance warned, pointing to controversial policies and actions that, in his view, undermine the democratic process.
The Vice President recalled a striking example from Britain, where a physiotherapist and army veteran was punished under new “buffer zone” laws simply for silently praying near an abortion clinic. “You can’t win a democratic mandate by censoring your opponents or putting them in jail,” he asserted, arguing that such measures only serve to weaken public trust and democratic legitimacy.
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Turning to the broader geopolitical context, Vance noted that while external threats such as Russia and China are important, the internal erosion of democratic norms poses an even greater danger. H
e criticized what he described as the “cavalier” attitude of some European officials toward canceling elections and limiting free expression, suggesting that these actions risk destabilizing the very foundations of democratic society.
Vance also addressed the issue of mass migration, observing that uncontrolled immigration has significant political and social implications. “No voter on this continent went to the ballot box to open the floodgates to millions of unvetted immigrants,” he said, urging European leaders to listen to the concerns of their citizens while balancing the need for humane policies.
In closing, Vance called for a renewed commitment to democratic principles, asserting that the future security of both Europe and the United States depends on leaders who truly respect the voice of the people.
“If you’re running in fear of your own voters, there is nothing America can do for you,” he warned. “Democracy rests on the sacred principle that the voice of the people matters.”
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