AfD party endorsements by Elon Musk have raised concerns among German officials about foreign influence in elections.
The German government has accused Elon Musk of interfering in its elections by endorsing the far-right AfD party.
This endorsement comes just weeks before the country’s snap elections, set to take place in February 2025. Officials are alarmed by Musk’s influence, particularly given the AfD’s controversial status and its classification as a suspected extremist organization.
Government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann stated,
“It is indeed the case that Elon Musk is trying to influence the federal election through his statements.”
She emphasized that while Musk is entitled to his opinion, his support for AfD party under scrutiny for right-wing extremism raises serious concerns.
The SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil likened Musk’s actions to those of Russian President Vladimir Putin, asserting that both aim to undermine democracy in Germany.
In a provocative op-ed in Welt am Sonntag, Musk claimed the depiction of the AfD party as extremist is “clearly false,” citing the party leader’s same-sex relationship as evidence, which ignited backlash.
Critics argue that Musk’s comments ignore the AfD’s history of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and its calls for Germany to exit the European Union, which could have dire economic implications.
Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), condemned Musk’s intervention as unprecedented meddling between allied nations. He highlighted that many of the AfD’s policies could harm Germany’s economy.
Klingbeil called for stricter regulations on social media platforms like Musk’s X to limit tech billionaires’ influence on political discourse.
This controversy unfolds against a backdrop of rising tensions in German politics.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently lost a confidence vote, prompting early elections and increasing scrutiny on external influences.
As this situation evolves, it highlights broader issues regarding the role of technology and social media in shaping political landscapes. The ongoing investigations into these allegations will likely continue to stir debate in Germany and beyond.
Source : ( Euro/fox News)