Elon Musk has stirred political waves in Germany by expressing his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of an approaching election. Utilizing his social media platform, X, Musk engaged in a conversation with AfD leader Alice Weidel, where he endorsed the party’s policies and criticized Germany’s current political climate. This move has raised eyebrows given Musk’s significant business investments in the country, most notably Tesla’s first European manufacturing plant.
During their discussion on X, Weidel expressed her gratitude to Musk, noting it was a rare opportunity to speak without media interruption. Despite polling in second place, the AfD stands little chance of forming a government as other parties refuse to collaborate with them due to their far-right stance. Critics fear Musk's endorsement might lend credibility and bolster the party's influence, sparking concerns about undue foreign interference in domestic politics.
Musk and Weidel delved into various topics, such as immigration, German bureaucracy, energy policy, space colonization, and even theology. Both figures shared a mutual skepticism towards Germany's decision to phase out nuclear power, labeling it as "crazy." Musk further praised the AfD’s stance on regulation, taxes, and market deregulation, aligning with his libertarian economic views.
"I think it was 25,000 pages was our permit. And it had to be all printed on paper," Musk remarked, highlighting bureaucratic challenges he encountered in Germany.
Weidel emphasized that the AfD represents a "conservative libertarian" ideology, and distanced the party from associations with Hitler’s regime.
"The biggest success (of other parties) after that terrible era in our history was to label Adolf Hitler as right and conservative. He was exactly the opposite. He wasn't a conservative, he wasn't a libertarian. He was a communist socialist guy," Weidel stated.
The conversation coincides with an ongoing investigation by the European Commission into X’s adherence to the Digital Services Act. This scrutiny examines whether X provides preferential treatment to specific content, potentially violating EU regulations. Amidst this backdrop, Musk has defended his foray into German political discourse, citing his substantial financial interests in the nation as justification for his involvement.
In Berlin, Musk's support for the AfD has generated significant unease and accusations of exerting undue influence. The AfD's controversial platform and past rhetoric continue to alienate mainstream parties, leaving Musk’s backing particularly provocative.
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