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Scholz Government Labels Elon Musk's Far-Right Endorsement as 'Political Interference'

Scholz Government Labels Elon Musk's Far-Right Endorsement as 'Political Interference'

Klingbeil Compares the Billionaire to Putin, Asserting Both Seek to Plunge the Country into Chaos

Juan Carlos Barrena

Berlín

Lunes, 30 de diciembre 2024, 19:55

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government has labelled the endorsement of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) by billionaire Elon Musk as 'political interference'. Musk, a personal advisor to elected President Donald Trump, made this recommendation ahead of the upcoming general elections, according to an official spokesperson in Berlin.

"Elon Musk has indeed attempted to influence the Bundestag elections with his statements," said Christiane Hoffmann, deputy spokesperson for the German government. She acknowledged Musk's freedom to express his opinion but emphasized that the elections are decided by voters and are an internal German matter.

The owner of Tesla, Space X, and the social network X, Musk published an article in the Welt am Sonntag, blatantly promoting AfD. He described the xenophobic and anti-European party as "the last ray of hope for Germany," which he claimed is "on the brink of economic and cultural collapse," while criticizing immigration, regulated economy, and renewable energies.

Hoffmann stressed that freedom of expression is a valued right and that one does not have to agree with Musk's views. However, she highlighted that the American magnate is endorsing a party considered far-right by Germany's domestic intelligence services, which keep it under constant observation. AfD advocates for Germany's exit from the European Union, NATO, and the euro, as well as closer ties with Russia and the expulsion of refugees and migrants.

Propaganda

Regarding Scholz's own reaction to the wave of criticism from politicians across the country, including the decision by the Springer publishing group and its conservative newspaper 'Die Welt' to allow Musk to promote a party marginalized and condemned by other parties, Hoffmann was firm. "The federal chancellor will not comment on editorial decisions at this time. Not at all," stated the government spokesperson.

When asked if the federal government would continue using its account on the social network X, Christiane Hoffmann remarked, "We are naturally observing with great concern what is happening on X," but noted the importance of considering the consequences of abandoning the platform and thus losing reach to its users. "In this assessment, we currently believe it is right to remain there," she added.

Lars Klingbeil, chairman of the ruling Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), was less reserved in expressing his opinion, openly comparing Musk to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Both want to influence our elections and specifically support the enemies of democracy in AfD. They want Germany to weaken and descend into chaos," Klingbeil told the Funke media group.

Previously, Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and conservative candidate for the German chancellorship, described Musk's remarks as "arrogant and presumptuous." "I do not recall a comparable case of interference in the election campaign of a friendly country in the history of Western democracies," said the indignant opposition leader.

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todoalicante Scholz Government Labels Elon Musk's Far-Right Endorsement as 'Political Interference'