Germany warns against election interference as US offers funding to Maga-aligned causes in Europe
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned the US government against interfering in upcoming German elections. This follows a US State Department initiative offering grants to European groups that align with specific political philosophies regarding sovereignty and migration.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights growing diplomatic tensions regarding foreign influence in domestic democratic processes and the potential for US funding to impact European political landscapes.
Germany’s Friedrich Merz meets Donald Trump in the Oval Office in March./Getty Images Germany’s Friedrich Merz meets Donald Trump in the Oval Office in March./Getty Images Germany Germany warns US against election interference after it announces grants scheme State department says initiative will provide funding to ‘address sovereignty, migration, censorship and lawfare’
Prefer the Guardian on Google Friedrich Merz has warned Donald Trump’s administration against interfering in German elections after the US state department announced a scheme to fund Maga-aligned causes in Europe.
The German chancellor was responding to a new US initiative offering grants of up to $3m (£2.2m) for European charities, thinktanks and individuals.
The funding will be for those seeking to “address national sovereignty, migration, censorship, and lawfare challenges in line with shared political philosophy, law, and our common western civilizational heritage”.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in