Elon Musk’s support for Germany’s far-right AfD party sparks controversy, resulting in the resignation of an opinion editor.
Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has sparked controversy by endorsing Germany’s far-right party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), in a guest opinion piece for the newspaper Welt am Sonntag.
His commentary, published just before the country’s key parliamentary elections on February 23, led to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest.
The comment piece marks Musk’s second endorsement of the AfD this month, in light of the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s governing coalition over economic concerns.
Musk claimed the AfD represents a “last spark of hope” for Germany, suggesting it could enable a future of economic prosperity and innovation.
Musk asserted that his investments in Germany legitimize his opinions on the nation’s issues.
Chancellor Scholz has dismissed Musk’s claims about the AfD as the only viable alternative for Germany.
The AfD’s candidate for chancellor, Alice Weidel, is polling well but has negligible chances of success, given other parties’ refusal to collaborate with them.
Musk’s article has ignited discussions within German media about the limits of free speech.
The WELT’s opinion editor, Eva Marie Kogel, announced her resignation over the publication of Musk’s piece, stating her discomfort with the endorsement.
