Friedrich Merz has warned the Trump administration against interfering in German elections after the US state department announced a scheme offering grants of up to $3m (£2.2m) for European charities, thinktanks and individuals aligned with Maga causes. The German chancellor said he did not want the US to interfere in German state elections scheduled for September.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Merz stated: “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.” He also highlighted that it is illegal to finance political parties in Germany from abroad.
The grants are aimed at those seeking to “address national sovereignty, migration, censorship and lawfare challenges in line with shared political philosophy, law and our common western civilisational heritage”. Former US officials say the scheme is part of a months-long effort by the state department to repurpose funds to support far-right groups and potentially political parties in Europe.
The language around eligibility is ambiguous, with the announcement specifying that “individuals” and “governmental institution” can apply without further detail. The former state department official said: “There seems to be an effort by the state department to put the thumb on the scale of elections in Europe, giving an unfair advantage to rightwing parties with resources that they would ordinarily not get.”
The initiative follows high-profile attacks on traditional allies in western European countries by US figures including Vice-President JD Vance on issues such as migration, abortion and online safety. State department officials have also been forging links with European social conservative groups and far-right parties. In December, a new US national security strategy claimed Europe faced “civilisational erasure” and hailed the growing influence of “patriotic European parties”.
A state department spokesperson defended the programme, saying: “The Trump administration remains committed to defending democracy and human rights around the world, including in Europe. Our programming in Europe aims to support our European allies in defending those rights and principles, along with their civilisational self-confidence.”
