Concerns Arise Over Election Interference Following Musk’s Meeting with German Far-Right Figure
In a striking turn of events, Elon Musk has thrown his support behind Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) as the nation gears up for its general election. This promotion took place during a lively chat he hosted with one of the party’s leaders on his social media platform, X, where the atmosphere was lively and filled with laughter.
Just a year ago, Musk leveraged his considerable influence on X to aid Republican Donald Trump in his efforts for the U.S. presidency, which culminated on November 5. His political engagement has now expanded to European shores, as the countdown ticks toward Germany’s election on February 23.
The billionaire, known for his roles at Tesla and SpaceX, has fixated on Germany, where Tesla’s inaugural European factory opened its doors in 2022.
During their conversation, both Musk and the AfD’s co-leader Alice Weidel expressed concerns about Germany’s “crazy” energy policies, excessive governmental red tape, and rampant, unregulated immigration. “People really need to rally behind the AfD,” Musk emphasized. “Otherwise, the situation in Germany could deteriorate even further.” He added, “I find Alice Weidel quite reasonable. There’s nothing outlandish on the table.”
This endorsement isn’t Musk’s first foray into AfD support. He reiterated his backing last month, provoking a wave of concern among German officials. Many regard the AfD as a right-wing extremist party, and its rise has raised alarm bells throughout Berlin.
Weidel, speaking in elegant English, expressed her appreciation for Musk’s backing, noting it was the first time in a decade she had a chance to voice her opinions without facing interruptions from a media landscape she perceives as biased. Musk echoed this sentiment, stating, “People are quick to censor what they don’t agree with.”
In an eyebrow-raising moment, they drew parallels between the current media treatment of the AfD and the persecution of pro-Jewish figures during the Nazi regime in the 1930s.
The political ramifications of Musk’s actions dwarf both the conversations he has on X and the subsequent public backlash. Leaders around Europe have voiced their apprehensions about Musk’s political maneuvers. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez indirectly criticized him for undermining democracy, while France’s foreign minister pushed the European Union to take more assertive measures against outside meddling.
Inevitably, Musk’s libertarian perspective has led him to clash with Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whom he deemed a “tyrant” for denouncing the AfD. He also called for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s resignation after a tragic car attack devastated a German Christmas market—an incident that drew international attention.
In a recent op-ed for Welt Am Sonntag, Musk doubled down on his support, declaring the AfD as “Germany’s last glimmer of hope.” His political interventions mirror a similar dialogue he held with Donald Trump last August, who tasked him with reforming U.S. government processes for efficiency.
Musk appears to be in a tense standoff with the UK government, too. He’s locked horns with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and safeguarding minister Jess Phillips over historical crimes related to grooming gangs in northern England.
During the conversation with Weidel, Musk recounted the overwhelming bureaucracy he faced to launch the German Tesla plant. “We needed to get through a whopping 25,000 pages of permits, all printed out. Imagine a truck filled with paperwork!” he mused.
On the subject of energy, Musk expressed his support for Germany’s renewable energy goals but concurred with Weidel’s criticism of shutting down nuclear power plants. “When I learned about Germany turning off its power plants, especially right after losing gas supplies from Russia, I thought… this is absolutely bananas,” he remarked.
In response, Michael McGrath, Ireland’s European Commissioner, voiced concerns over Musk’s ability to leverage algorithms that might unfairly amplify the AfD’s messaging during the election. “The issue hinges on whether there’s an unjust amplification of certain content,” he elaborated, emphasizing the need for fair electoral practices.
McGrath affirmed that while freedom of expression is critical within the EU, it’s equally vital to manage the influence that colossal online platforms wield. “When we conduct elections, we must ensure they are fair and free from undue pressure,” he underscored.
Later this year, as Justice Commissioner, McGrath plans to introduce legislation known as the Democracy Shield aimed at protecting European elections from both internal and external threats. His colleague, Henna Virkkunen, is currently steering the Digital Safety Act (DSA) initiative, which mandates large social media platforms to uphold content moderation and eliminate harmful material.
McGrath stated, “The Commission is prepared to intervene if we believe the DSA has been compromised.” Currently, there’s an ongoing investigation into X—initiated in December 2023—to determine compliance with the DSA and whether necessary measures are being executed effectively.
He pointed out, “It’s all about employing technology in a fair manner that won’t manipulate elections. Should it become necessary, the Commission has the tools to step in—but only on a case-by-case basis and grounded in solid evidence.”
“The DSA remains a potent legislative instrument,” he concluded, affirming its application would be measured yet firm. “We aim to safeguard freedom of speech while ensuring that large platforms don’t misuse their influence during crucial democratic processes.”
With stakes this high, the developments concerning Musk, the AfD, and the ensuing political landscape merit close scrutiny as they evolve.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
