Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has sparked widespread controversy by publicly supporting Germany’s far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), ahead of the country’s critical parliamentary elections. This move has led to the resignation of the newspaper’s opinion editor in protest, highlighting the intense debate surrounding free speech and foreign influence in German politics.
Germany is set to hold an early election on February 23, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition government due to disputes over economic revitalization efforts. Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag, a publication owned by the Axel Springer Group and affiliated with POLITICO, was his second endorsement of the AfD this month.
In the translated commentary, Musk described the AfD as “the last spark of hope for this country,” claiming that the far-right party could lead Germany toward a future of “economic prosperity, cultural integrity, and technological innovation.” Musk also stated that his business investments in Germany provided him with the right to comment on the nation’s political landscape.
While the AfD is polling strongly, its candidate for chancellor, Alice Weidel, faces significant challenges, as other parties refuse to cooperate with the far-right group. Musk, known for his support of former U.S. President Donald Trump, challenged the portrayal of the AfD as an extremist party, arguing that the party leader’s same-sex relationship with a Sri Lankan partner disproves claims of extremism.
Musk’s commentary has ignited fierce debate across German media, with many criticizing the paper for giving an outsider like Musk a platform to influence the election. Eva Marie Kogel, the paper’s opinion editor, resigned after the article was published, stating her disapproval on Musk’s social media platform, X.
Politicians from various parties have also condemned Musk’s intervention. Friedrich Merz, a chancellor candidate from the Christian Democratic Union, called Musk’s comments “intrusive and presumptuous.” Saskia Esken, co-leader of the Social Democratic Party, accused Musk of attempting to influence the German election in favor of an “anti-democratic, misanthropic” party like the AfD.
In contrast, the editorial staff of Welt am Sonntag defended the piece, with Jan Philipp Burgard, the future editor-in-chief, arguing that while Musk’s diagnosis of Germany’s issues was accurate, his solution of endorsing the AfD was misguided. Both Burgard and Ulf Poschardt, the current editor-in-chief, emphasized the importance of free speech and democratic debate in shaping the future of Die Welt.
Musk’s controversial article has brought attention to the intersection of politics, media, and corporate influence, raising questions about the role of foreign figures in shaping domestic elections. As the election approaches, the debate surrounding Musk’s comments is expected to continue to play a significant role in Germany’s political discourse.
