In recent years the U.S. has been diverging from our allies in Western Europe economically, culturally and legally. One thing that has become clear is that very few countries share our* commitment to free speech. Germany, for example, where Chancellor Friedrich Merz considers free speech to be an American oddity.
What I want to highlight–assuming the translation below is correct–is Merz’s characterization of free speech as “a libertarian political understanding from parts of the USA.”
The chancellor of Germany says free speech is just a kooky American idea that he doesn't share:
“Please don’t come to me with free speech… That is at most a libertarian political understanding from parts of the USA that I personally do not share. A liberal society must still… https://t.co/xETjMt6RMB
— Ezra Levant 
(@ezralevant) September 15, 2026
Merz has a point...
English (US)