"I don't think it is right for foreigners, including those from friendly foreign countries, to interfere so intensively in an election campaign in the middle of an election period," the spokesperson said.

The Wall Street Journal had cited Vance as saying he would urge German politicians to work with all parties, including the far-right Alternative for Germany, which other parties have refused to cooperate with.

"It is good practice for the citizens of a country to decide who they vote for and what their principles are, and not to take advice from others," the government spokesperson said.

Vance is the latest top U.S. official to make comments about Germany's politics after billionaire businessman Elon Musk criticised Chancellor Olaf Scholz and backed the AfD.