Chancellor Merz Warns Trump Against Interfering in German Elections

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump against interfering in Germany's federal elections scheduled for September. The warning comes after the United States Department of State launched a grant program totaling nearly $5 million intended to strengthen human rights, the rule of law, and democratic resilience across Europe.

Merz stated that financing political parties from abroad is illegal under German law. He expressed a desire for the American government and its associated institutions to avoid interfering in the German electoral process, noting that Germany does not interfere in American elections.

The United States Department of State defended the funding, claiming the program aims to protect the sovereignty and human rights of European allies. However, reports suggest the initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to support nationalist and right-wing movements. Some former officials have characterized the funding as an effort to provide an unfair advantage to right-wing parties, such as the Alternative for Germany, which has previously embraced support from figures close to Donald Trump.