In the weekend edition of the newspaper “World on Sunday”owned by the Axel Springer publishing house, appeared Elon Musk's comment. The American billionaire wrote on social media a week ago that “Only AfD can save Germany“. He elaborated on his position in the article.
“The portrayal of AfD as right-wing extremism is obviously false, considering that the party leader Alice Weidel has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka. Does this sound like Hitler? Here you go!” wrote an ally Donald Trump.
Elon Musk supported AfD. A broad comment by a billionaire in a German newspaper
Further in the comment, Elon Musk argued that the Alternative for Germany “advocates a policy of controlled immigration, which gives priority to integration and the preservation of German culture and security.” “This is not about xenophobia, but about Germany in pursuit of globalization have not lost their identity” – he decided.
Referring to economic issues, the billionaire argued that the extreme right “understood that economic freedom is not only desirable, but necessary.” “Their approach to curbing government overregulation, cutting taxes, and deregulating the market mirrors the principles that made Tesla and SpaceX successful,” he wrote.
“AfD, even if it is described as far right, represents political realism that appeals to many Germansfeeling that their concerns are ignored by the establishment. The group raises current issues without political correctnesswhich often obscures the truth,” he said.
Quotes from the American billionaire's article remain used by Alice Weidel on social media as party promotionwhich since 2021 has been suspected by German intelligence as extremist formation.
The editors published Elon Musk's comment along with the author's article Jana Philippa Burgardawho will take over the position of editor-in-chief of the “Die Welt” group in the New Year.
“Musk's diagnosis is there right, but his therapeutic approach that only the AfD can save Germany is completely false” – assessed the journalist, pointing out the AfD's demands such as: lowering European Union through Germany Whether rapprochement with Russia and China.
Despite this, the billionaire's text sparked a heated discussion in the German media. Shortly after publication, head of the opinion department of “Die Welt” and “Welt am Sonntag” Eva Marie Kogel she stated on her social media that she resigned from her job. Other editors were also expected to speak critically about the publication during Friday's meeting.
After numerous questions about the origins of the article and a dispute within the editorial office, the current editor-in-chief, Ulf Poschardt, and his successor issued a joint statement. “Democracy and journalism develop thanks to freedom of speech. This includes dealing with polarizing positions and their journalistic classification,” they said in a response quoted by Reuters.
“This will continue to define the compass of 'Die Welt' in the future. We will expand even more decisively 'Die Welt' as a forum for such debates” – they emphasized.
Germany. Early elections to the Bundestag
German media point out that Elon Musk has significant investments not only in United Statesbut also in Germanyincluding the Tesla factory under Berlin opening in 2022. Due to this, there were accusations that billionaire wants to influence on German domestic policy before next year's vote for members of the Bundestag.
The political crisis in Germany that has lasted for almost two months led to the collapse of the SPD-Greens-FDP coalition and a vote of no confidence in the federal government. Olaf Scholzadissolving the current term of office of the Bundestag and calling early parliamentary elections. Our western neighbors will go to the polls February 23, 2025.
According to the latest polls AfD has support around 20 percent.which gives the far right second place in public opinion polls. He is in the lead CDU/CSU (average 31 percent) under leadership Friedrich Merzwho has the best chance of becoming the new chancellor. They complete the podium social democrats from SPD (about 16%).