In a significant political development, Elon Musk has publicly endorsed Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, stating, "Only the AfD can save Germany." This endorsement has ignited a political uproar just months before the federal election scheduled for February 23, 2025, after Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition collapsed. The AfD is currently polling at approximately 19% and is led by Alice Weidel, who has been vocal about Germany's potential exit from the European Union and has criticized the EU's regulations affecting the automotive industry [e0db2ca3].
Musk's endorsement, articulated in a guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag on January 4, 2025, described the AfD as the "last spark of hope for this country." He claimed that Germany is on the brink of collapse and advocated for economic deregulation, aligning with the AfD's program [11ff3296]. This statement has led to significant backlash, including the resignation of the paper's opinion editor, Eva Marie Kogel, highlighting the contentious nature of Musk's comments and their implications for free speech in German media [057750e1]. The current editor-in-chief, Ulf Poschardt, defended the piece as part of free expression, indicating a divide within the media regarding the handling of controversial opinions [5ad0f81a].
Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed concern over Musk's endorsement of the AfD, stating that he is more worried about Musk's backing of the party than the personal insults Musk directed at him, which included referring to Scholz as a "fool" after the collapse of his coalition government in November 2024. Scholz emphasized the need to remain "cool" in the face of personal attacks and reiterated that the AfD is under surveillance for right-wing extremism [b6373d25]. The political landscape in Germany is further complicated by the AfD's rising influence, which is reflected in the recent Brandenburg state election results where the party secured nearly 30% of the vote [b7395b8c]. Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) advocate for increased borrowing to support economic policies, while the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, opposes any new debt [e0db2ca3].
Musk argued that the portrayal of the AfD as extremist is false, citing Weidel's same-sex partner as evidence of the party's inclusivity. This perspective has sparked a broader debate on free speech and the media's role in shaping political narratives in Germany [057750e1]. The tension is heightened by the backdrop of Germany's substantial military aid to Ukraine, exceeding $11 billion since 2022, amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. Analysts are concerned about the implications of Musk's endorsement, especially in light of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s potential return to power, which could affect U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO spending commitments [e0db2ca3].
The normalization of far-right sentiments in German politics is alarming to many, including politicians like Rolf Mützenich of the SPD, who expressed concern over Musk's influence [11ff3296]. Dirk Kurbjuweit of Der Spiegel criticized Germany's global standing and called for a more assertive foreign policy, reflecting a growing unease about the potential for an extreme right-wing government [11ff3296]. While Alice Weidel's candidacy for the AfD is unlikely to succeed due to other parties' refusal to collaborate with the AfD, Musk's influence and the party's growing prominence raise questions about the future of Germany's leadership role in Europe as the country navigates rising far-right sentiments and economic challenges, including significant layoffs at Volkswagen and rising poverty due to government policies [11ff3296][9370a4e7].