Berlin (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Elon Musk faces backlash from German politicians for supporting the far-right AfD ahead of elections.
Tesla founder Elon Musk drew criticism from German politicians from the government and opposition on Sunday for an opinion piece he wrote backing the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) which they considered “intrusive” outside influence.
The article published in German in the Welt am Sonntag newspaper raised on a post by Musk on the social media platform X last week in which he wrote “Only the AfD can save Germany” and commended the party’s policy to regulation, tariffs and market deregulation.
Only AfD can save Germany https://t.co/8TNZVEZGh5
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 22, 2024
Leader of the opposition Christian Democrats Friedrich Merz expressed in an interview with the Funke Media Group: “I cannot recall a similar case of interference, in the history of Western democracies, in the election campaign of a friendly nation.” Merz defined the commentary as “intrusive and pretentious”.
Co-leader of Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) Saskia Esken swore fierce opposition to endeavours by state actors as well as the wealthy and influential to leverage Germany’s elections.
In Elon Musk’s world, democracy and workers’ rights are obstacles to more profit,
Esken said.
We say quite clearly: Our democracy is secure and it cannot be bought.
In his op-ed on December 28, 2024, Musk mentioned that AfD is the “last spark of hope” for Germany, adding that it can lead Germany toward economic success and cultural integrity. He said the characterizations of AfD as a far-right party are “crystal clear wrong” by pointing out the party leader Alice Weidel’s same-sex partner. The commentary comes ahead of Germany’s snap federal elections scheduled for February 23, 2025, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government. The AfD has been gaining traction in polls, currently positioned to receive around 19% of the vote.
