Scholz defends Europe on hate speech and far-right issues, rebukes Vance.

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz rebukes U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance’s attack on Europe’s stance towards hate speech and the far right.

• Scholz rejects Vance’s criticism of European leaders’ “firewall” against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

• Scholz cites the anti-immigration party’s rejection by other major German parties due to its Nazi past.

• Scholz argues that Germany and Europe are founded on the historic awareness that democracies can be destroyed by radical anti-democrats.

• French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot defends Europe’s stance on hate speech, stating that freedom of speech is guaranteed in Europe.

• Scholz argues that the threat to Europe is not Russia or China, but a retreat from fundamental values of protecting free speech and immigration.