Elon Musk has congratulated Alice Weidel, co-chair of Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, following last night’s election results. The post was seen as a gesture of support from the billionaire entrepreneur, who has been vocal about his admiration for AfD.
Musk quoted Hungarian President Viktor Orbán in his message, saying that the AfD had doubled its share of votes and praised Weidel’s success. However, experts warn that Musk’s backing is not surprising, given the AfD’s historical ties to neo-Nazism and anti-immigrant sentiment.
AfD has been making steady electoral gains over the past few years, fueled by concerns over immigration and Islamophobia. The party has faced criticism from both German and international authorities for its perceived extremist views.
The AfD finished second in last night’s election, with around 20% of the vote, while conservative parties like the Christian Democrats (CDU) won with nearly 30%. Musk has previously stated that he believes only the AfD can save Germany, sparking concerns about his influence on German politics.
Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, expressed a desire to reduce European dependence on the US during his first speech after the election. The move is seen as an effort to bolster national sovereignty and distance Germany from US foreign policy.
The article highlights the complex relationships between Elon Musk, Alice Weidel, and the AfD party in Germany’s current politics landscape.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/02/elon-musk-germany-afd-elections-1236299828