Before the upcoming general elections to be held on February 23 in the Western European country Germany, American billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has created a political stir by making a controversial statement. In his opinion article published in Germany’s leading newspaper ‘Welt am Sonntag’, Musk supported the right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD), calling it “the country’s last hope”. The German government and prominent leaders have reacted sharply to this article by Musk.
Government and opposition reaction
A German government spokesperson termed Musk’s article as an “attempt to influence federal elections.” He said that even though Musk has the freedom to express his opinions, such comments can affect the democratic process.
At the same time, Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader and Chancellor candidate Friedrich Mertz strongly condemned Musk’s statement, calling it “unacceptable interference”.
What did Musk say in his article?
In his article, Musk described the AfD as Germany’s “last flame of hope,” saying the party could lead the country into a new era of economic prosperity, cultural integrity, and technological innovation. He criticized the AfD for being viewed as “right-wing extremists”. Musk says his investment in Germany gives him the right to comment on the country’s political and economic situation.
extent of dispute
Musk’s article is an extension of comments he made last week on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), in which he said that “only the AfD can save Germany.” Following the publication of the article, a senior editor of the newspaper resigned.
Musk’s political activism
Musk has been known for his political comments and polarizing views in the past. Recently he supported Donald Trump in the US presidential elections and also provided financial help to his campaign. This new comment by Musk has sparked a debate in Germany on freedom of expression and the impact of the democratic process.
