Elon Musk’s support for Germany’s far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) on the platform X has drawn condemnation from politicians in major parties, accusing him of election interference and promoting extremism ahead of the February elections.
A social media post by Musk endorsing Germany’s far-right party AfD sparked reactions and accusations of meddling in the elections. Musk wrote on his platform X that AfD is the only party that can “save Germany,” triggering sharp criticism from politicians across the political spectrum.
Alice Weidel, AfD’s candidate for chancellor, enthusiastically welcomed Musk’s endorsement.
She responded: “Yes! You are absolutely right, Elon Musk! Check out my interview on President Trump, Merkel’s socialist legacy, the destructive Soviet European Union (EU), and Germany’s economic decline!”
However, politicians from Germany’s major parties expressed outrage.
Dennis Radtke, a member of the European Parliament from the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), called Musk’s comments “irritating and unacceptable,” accusing the billionaire of interfering in German elections. According to German media, Radtke also labeled Musk a “threat to democracy” and criticized X as a platform for spreading misinformation.
Alex Schaefer of the centrist Social Democratic Party (SPD)condemned Musk’s statements as “completely unacceptable,” emphasizing the importance of taking a firm stand against external interference.
Meanwhile, former Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) acknowledged Musk’s past influence on some of his policies but advised him to refrain from supporting AfD. “AfD opposes freedom, business, and democracy – it is an extreme far-right party,” Lindner wrote on Twitter.
The controversy comes as Germany prepares for upcoming elections on February 23rd, following the collapse of Scholz’s coalition government.
Political leaders across Germany remain united in rejecting any cooperation with AfD, underscoring the party’s contentious position in the political landscape.
