German Politicians has condemned the U.S. billionaire, Elon Musk for publicly endorsing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Musk commentary, published in the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, drew sharp criticism from politicians across Germany’s political spectrum, who deemed his remarks an unwelcome and intrusive attempt to sway the country’s upcoming elections.
Musk’s opinion piece, published in the flagship newspaper of the Axel Springer media group, followed a post he shared on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter).
In the post, he declared, “Only the AfD can save Germany,” and praised the party’s positions on regulation, taxes, and market deregulation. His commentary expanded on these points, framing the AfD as a necessary force for economic reform and market freedom.
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However, the piece struck a nerve in Germany’s political landscape. Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and a top contender to succeed Olaf Scholz as chancellor, criticized Musk’s intervention as unprecedented.
In an interview with the Funke Media Group, Merz remarked, “I cannot recall a comparable case of interference, in the history of Western democracies, in the election campaign of a friendly country.” He described the commentary as “intrusive and pretentious.”
Saskia Esken, co-leader of Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), took an even firmer stance. She accused Musk of prioritizing profits over democratic values and workers’ rights.
“In Elon Musk’s world, democracy and workers’ rights are obstacles to more profit,” she told Reuters. “We say quite clearly: Our democracy is defensible, and it cannot be bought.”
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The publication of Musk’s piece also caused upheaval within Welt am Sonntag. The editor of the newspaper’s opinion section announced her resignation shortly after the commentary was published.
Meanwhile, the newspaper’s editor-in-chief designate defended the decision to feature Musk’s opinions, stating that freedom of speech and journalism thrive on diverse, even polarizing, viewpoints.
Musk’s endorsement comes at a sensitive time for Germany. The country is preparing for federal elections on February 23, following the collapse of the coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
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The AfD, traditionally shunned by Germany’s mainstream political parties, has gained significant traction in recent opinion polls, running second and posing a potential challenge to both center-right and center-left alliances.
Despite its growing popularity, the AfD remains a controversial force in German politics. Most centrist parties have pledged not to work with the AfD at the national level, citing its far-right policies and divisive rhetoric. Musk’s endorsement has only added fuel to the ongoing debate over the party’s role in shaping Germany’s future.
Musk’s intervention raises broader questions about the role of influential individuals and foreign actors in domestic politics. Critics argue that his endorsement undermines the integrity of Germany’s democratic processes, with Merz and Esken both emphasizing the need to safeguard the country’s elections from outside influence.
This controversy also highlights the global challenge of balancing freedom of speech with the responsibility to respect national sovereignty.
While Musk’s commentary may align with his personal ideology and business interests, its publication in a German newspaper has brought scrutiny to the potential impact of such high-profile endorsements on democratic elections.
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