VP Vance in Munich: ‘To Believe in Democracy Is to Understand that Each of Our Citizens Has Wisdom and Has a Voice’

Vance: “Europeans, the people, have a voice. European leaders have a choice. And my strong belief is that we do not need to be afraid of the future. You can embrace what your people tell you even when it’s surprising, even when you don’t agree. And if you do so, you can face the future with certainty, with confidence, knowing that the nation stands behind each of you. And that, to me, is the great magic of democracy. It’s not in these stone buildings and beautiful hotels. It’s not even in the great institutions that we have built together as a shared society. To believe in democracy is to understand that each of our citizens has wisdom and has a voice. And if we refuse to listen to that voice, even our most successful fights will secure very little. As Pope John Paul II, in my view one of the most extraordinary champions of democracy on this continent or any other, once said, ‘Do not be afraid. We shouldn’t be afraid of our people, even when they express views that disagree with their leadership.’ Thank you all. Good luck to all of you. God bless you.”