German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has slammed Elon Musk over his public support for the far-right Alternative for Germany party. In an op-ed piece published in a major German newspaper, Musk praised the AfD’s approach to regulation and taxes, calling it “the last spark of hope” for the country.
Merz, a center-right candidate for chancellor, labeled Musk’s comments as “intrusive and pretentious,” saying they represented unprecedented interference in Germany’s electoral campaign. He drew a parallel between Musk’s article and how Americans would react if a prominent German businessman were to write an op-ed backing an outsider in their presidential election.
Merz also pointed out that Tesla’s European gigafactory, which was built east of Berlin despite the AfD’s resistance, would not have been approved under the party’s rule. The remarks sparked fierce criticism and led to the resignation of a senior editor at Welt am Sonntag, the newspaper that published Musk’s commentary.
Other politicians, including Social Democratic lawmakers, also condemned Musk’s interference in Germany’s democracy. They argue that his actions undermine the principles of workers’ rights and fair elections. As the election approaches, Merz’s comments highlight the growing tensions between the AfD and the center-right alliance led by Merkel.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/german-chancellor-candidate-merz-slams-musk-over-afd-stance/a-71181470