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In a pointed response to U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s criticism at the Munich Security Conference—where he accused Europe of stifling free speech and losing control over immigration—German politician Friedrich Merz firmly defended European values. Reflecting on Vance’s challenge about what Europe truly stands for, Merz declared that the answer lies in a shared legacy: a hard-earned commitment to freedom and democracy. He emphasized that Europe’s identity has been shaped through centuries of struggle and resilience, and that these principles remain worth defending—even fighting for—against any threats, foreign or domestic.
