German Politicians Criticize Elon Musk for Supporting Right-Wing AfD

German politicians from both government and opposition criticized Elon Musk for endorsing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in an opinion piece published in Welt am Sonntag.

Musk, set to serve as an adviser in President-elect Donald Trump's administration, praised the AfD's stance on regulation, taxes, and market deregulation, calling it the only party that could "save Germany."

The endorsement comes as Germany prepares for elections on February 23 following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government. Politicians, including opposition leader Friedrich Merz, labeled Musk's intervention as "intrusive," while Saskia Esken of Scholz's SPD warned against external influences undermining democracy.

The AfD, running second in polls, could disrupt centrist coalitions, though mainstream parties have vowed to avoid alliances with them. The editor of Welt's opinion section resigned following the commentary's publication, while the paper defended its decision as a commitment to free speech.