Musk supported the far-right Alternative for Germany party.
The German government on Monday called American billionaire Elon Musk’s repeated support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party an attempt to influence the country’s parliamentary elections in February. TASR informs about it based on the reports of the DPA and Reuters agencies.
Musk has the right to express his opinion, government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann said in Berlin. At the same time, however, she added that “Elon Musk is really trying to influence the elections to the federal parliament with his comments”.
Musk: AfD is the last spark of hope
In an opinion piece published by Germany’s conservative Die Welt newspaper, Musk described the AfD as “the last glimmer of hope for this country.” The newspaper’s opinion columnist resigned in protest after the article was published.
Hoffmann emphasized that the elections in Germany will be decided by the voters at the ballot boxes and that it is a matter for Germany. She considers freedom of speech to be an important right, although we may not agree with Musk’s opinion, she added.
The spokeswoman also pointed out that the party recommended by Musk is currently being investigated by the security forces for suspicion of right-wing extremism.
“The chancellor does not comment on editorial decisions. Never,” the spokeswoman responded to the question of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s opinion on this matter and what he thinks about the publication of the opinion piece.
Germany will hold early parliamentary elections on February 23, with the AfD in second place in the polls with around 19 percent. Germany’s internal security agency has labeled various branches of the AfD as “extremist”.
