Elon Musk, the tech billionaire, has ignited controversy in Germany after endorsing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of critical parliamentary elections. Musk’s op-ed, published in Welt am Sonntag, called the AfD “the last spark of hope for this country,” sparking backlash from politicians, media, and even the newspaper’s staff.
Germany’s early election follows government collapse
The upcoming February 23 election was triggered after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government collapsed over disputes about revitalizing the stagnant economy. The AfD is polling well, though its leader, Alice Weidel, is unlikely to become chancellor due to other parties refusing to collaborate with the far-right faction.
Musk defends AfD and challenges its image
In his piece, Musk dismissed claims of extremism against the AfD, pointing to Weidel’s same-sex partnership with a Sri Lankan woman as evidence that the party doesn’t fit its far-right reputation. “Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!” Musk wrote, defending his right to comment based on his investments in Germany.
Newspaper editor resigns in protest
Eva Marie Kogel, opinion editor of Welt am Sonntag, resigned after Musk’s piece was published, announcing her decision on X, Musk’s own platform. The paper faced criticism for granting an outsider a platform to influence domestic politics, particularly for a party viewed as anti-democratic.
Political backlash grows
German politicians, including Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union and Saskia Esken of the Social Democratic Party, condemned Musk’s comments as intrusive and anti-democratic. Esken specifically compared Musk’s influence to foreign meddling, saying, “Anyone who supports an anti-democratic, misanthropic party like the AfD must expect our tough resistance.”
Debate over free speech in journalism
The newspaper’s current editor-in-chief, Ulf Poschardt, and incoming editor-in-chief, Jan Philipp Burgard, defended the decision to publish Musk’s piece, emphasizing the importance of free expression. “Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression,” they said in a joint statement, noting the debate had been “insightful” and underscoring their commitment to fostering dialogue.
Musk’s op-ed draws mixed reactions
While Musk’s article has provoked outrage, the accompanying critique by Burgard acknowledged Musk’s valid concerns about Germany’s challenges but firmly rejected his endorsement of the AfD as a solution. “Musk’s diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally wrong,” Burgard wrote.
Germany’s election is now shaping up to be not only a pivotal political moment but also a battleground for debates over media responsibility, foreign influence, and the limits of free speech.
