Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and close adviser to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, has intensified his endorsement of Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party. Writing in Welt am Sonntag, Musk described the AfD as the “last spark of hope” for Germany, igniting a political storm ahead of the country’s snap elections scheduled for 23 February 2024.
Musk’s commentary, published on Saturday, followed his initial support for the party expressed on his platform, X (formerly Twitter), where he declared: “Only the AfD can save Germany.” His latest remarks, elaborated in the op-ed, have drawn sharp criticism from German political leaders and triggered the resignation of Welt am Sonntag’s opinion editor, Eva Marie Kogel.
A Dire Assessment of Germany’s State
In his article, Musk painted a bleak picture of Germany’s future, claiming the nation is on the verge of “economic and cultural collapse.” He argued that the AfD offers a pragmatic alternative to what he perceives as the failure of traditional parties to address the concerns of ordinary Germans.
“The AfD, even though it is described as far-right, represents a political realism that resonates with many Germans who feel their concerns are ignored by the establishment,” Musk wrote. He criticised the depiction of the AfD as extremist, highlighting that its leader, Alice Weidel, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka. “Does that sound like Hitler to you? Come on!” he wrote.
Backlash and Editorial Resignation
The controversy also led to internal upheaval at Welt am Sonntag. Eva Marie Kogel, the editor of the opinion section, resigned in protest shortly after the piece was posted online. “I handed in my resignation yesterday after it went to print,” Kogel announced on X, linking to the article.
Jan Philipp Burgard, deputy editor-in-chief of Welt am Sonntag, defended the decision to publish Musk’s piece, citing the importance of free speech in journalism. However, he distanced himself from Musk’s conclusion that the AfD is the only solution for Germany, describing that claim as “false.”
Musk’s Growing Influence in European Politics
Musk has increasingly aligned himself with populist-right politicians across Europe. In addition to endorsing the AfD, he has publicly supported Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Musk argued that his “significant investments” in Germany, including Tesla’s factory near Berlin, give him a stake in the country’s political discourse.
AfD on the Rise Ahead of Elections
Musk’s endorsement comes as the AfD gains significant momentum in the lead-up to February’s snap elections. Recent polls place the party second with 19% of the vote, trailing the conservative alliance led by Friedrich Merz at 31%. The AfD’s strong performance positions it to become the largest opposition party in the next Bundestag, a development that could reshape German politics.
Despite this surge, the AfD remains controversial. It is officially classified as a “suspected extremist” organisation in Germany, allowing intelligence agencies to monitor its activities. Nevertheless, the party has continued to expand its base, leveraging dissatisfaction with mainstream political parties and policies on issues such as migration and energy.
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