Elon Musk's controversial AfD endorsement stirs German politics
Elon Musk, owner of the X platform, plans to engage in a discussion with Alice Weidel, leader of the far-right AfD party, ahead of Germany's upcoming parliamentary elections. This decision has drawn criticism from German politicians, who accuse Musk of interfering in the electoral process.
Alice Weidel's spokesperson, Daniel Tapp, confirmed that the conversation will be broadcast live on the X platform. Although the exact date has yet to be determined, it is known that it will occur before the elections. In mid-December, Musk expressed his support for the AfD, stating that "only AfD can save Germany". Furthermore, in one of his posts, he criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz, calling him "incompetent".
reactions of German politicians
Politicians from mainstream parties have voiced their outrage, accusing Musk of attempting to influence the election outcome. One of Politico's sources suggested that support for the AfD might be part of a broader strategy linked to Musk's close ties with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. A spokesperson for the German government confined their reaction to accusing the billionaire of "trying to influence the federal election".
It remains unclear whether Musk's endorsement will impact the election results, which, according to polls, are expected to favour the CDU. Nonetheless, questions arise about future cooperation between Trump and the German government, which will be dominated by the conservative party. It’s worth noting that during his first term, Trump did not shy away from expressing his disdain for Germany and then-Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in his New Year's address, urged citizens not to succumb to external influences during the elections, emphasizing that it’s the citizens, not social media owners, who determine the country's future. Early elections for the Bundestag are scheduled for February 23.
