Germany warns against election interference as US offers funding to Maga-aligned causes in Europe

German politician Friedrich Merz has issued a strong warning against U.S. interference in German elections, reacting to a new U.S. State Department funding scheme for European organizations. Merz stated that Germany does not interfere in American elections and expects the same non-interference from the U.S. government.

The U.S. initiative offers grants of up to $3 million to European charities, think tanks, and individuals. The stated purpose is to address issues such as national sovereignty, migration, and censorship, aligning with a "common western civilizational heritage." However, former U.S. officials suggest the program aims to repurpose funds to support far-right groups and potentially political parties across Europe.

Merz voiced his concerns during his annual summer press conference in Berlin. He highlighted that financing political parties from abroad is illegal in Germany. The ambiguity in the grant's eligibility criteria, mentioning "individuals" and "governmental institution (sic)" without further detail, raises questions about its scope. Critics argue the program could provide an unfair advantage to right-wing parties, influencing European political landscapes.

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For ‌our ‌part, we do ‌not interfere in American elections. Conversely, I do not ‌want the American government or institutions close to the government to interfere in German ⁠elections.