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German officials have raised concerns about Elon Musk’s attempts to influence the upcoming February federal election through social media posts and published commentary supporting the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
A government spokesperson confirmed Musk’s efforts to sway voter opinion through his recent activities on X and his opinion piece, while acknowledging his right to express his views, noting that “freedom of opinion also covers the greatest nonsense.”
Berlin says Elon Musk trying to exert influence over German election https://t.co/GeY7ipQpX2
— The Straits Times (@straits_times) December 30, 2024
The billionaire entrepreneur, who is slated to serve as an outside adviser to President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, has thrown his support behind the AfD as Germans prepare to head to the polls on February 23. The election was triggered by the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government.
In addition to his social media activity, where he declared that “only the AfD can save Germany,” Musk penned a German-language commentary for Axel Springer’s Welt am Sonntag newspaper. His writings praised the AfD’s positions on regulatory policies, taxation, and market deregulation, demonstrating his clear endorsement of the party’s platform.
Elon Musk is backing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).https://t.co/sK12AdD21A
— POLITICOEurope (@POLITICOEurope) December 20, 2024
The timing of Musk’s political intervention comes at a crucial moment in German politics, as the nation prepares for this significant electoral decision following the dissolution of its previous governing coalition.
