The AfD party convention will finalize its campaign manifesto, featuring hardline immigration stances and a proposed German exit from the euro, currently polling at approximately 20% support. Despite receiving endorsements like that of Elon Musk, AfD’s lead candidate, Alice Weidel, faces an insurmountable barrier to power, with all major parties rejecting coalition possibilities. Friedrich Merz of the CDU, the frontrunner in polls, is the most likely next Chancellor.
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An exposé by Correctiv revealed a clandestine meeting in Switzerland between members of the German AfD party and Swiss neo-Nazi groups Junge Tat and Blood & Honour. The event, attended by AfD politicians Roger Beckamp and Lena Kotré, featured discussions about “remigration” and showcased the close ties between the AfD and extremist groups. Security measures, including ID checks and undisclosed locations, suggest the meeting was not as open as claimed by Beckamp. The neo-Nazi groups subsequently publicized the event online, further fueling calls for a ban on the AfD.
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Elon Musk penned an op-ed in Die Welt endorsing Germany’s far-right AfD party, prompting criticism and a commentary editor’s resignation. Vice President-elect JD Vance called the op-ed “interesting,” noting the AfD’s popularity in areas historically resistant to Nazism, a point countered by Germany’s ambassador to the U.S. The German government accused Musk of attempting to influence the upcoming election, while Musk’s support for the AfD, which opposes immigration and has called for mass deportations, has drawn significant international attention. The AfD remains a prominent party despite being shunned by other major German political forces.
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Elon Musk, via his X account, launched a personal attack against German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, calling him an “anti-democratic tyrant,” a comment seemingly spurred by Steinmeier’s criticism of foreign interference in upcoming elections. This latest insult follows previous attacks on Chancellor Olaf Scholz and promotion of the AfD party, including planned online discussions with AfD leader Alice Weidel. Musk’s actions are causing significant controversy in German politics as the country approaches elections. The German government has declined to comment on Musk’s remarks.
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Elon Musk’s repeated endorsements of Germany’s far-right AfD party have prompted accusations of election interference from the German government. His X posts and an opinion piece openly advocated for the AfD, prompting outrage across the political spectrum. Critics, including Chancellor Scholz and President Steinmeier, condemned Musk’s actions as an unacceptable attempt to influence the upcoming election. Musk’s defense of the AfD, even citing a party leader’s partner as evidence against extremism, has further fueled the controversy. The incident highlights concerns about foreign influence in German elections and the potential for social media to be used to manipulate democratic processes.
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Elon Musk’s op-ed in Germany’s *Welt am Sonntag* supporting the far-right AfD party sparked controversy, resulting in the opinion editor’s resignation. Musk’s commentary, his second endorsement of the AfD this month, characterized the party as Germany’s last hope for economic prosperity and cultural integrity. This action fueled a debate regarding free speech in German media, with internal criticism published alongside Musk’s piece. Despite the controversy, the *Welt* group’s leadership affirmed its commitment to free expression as a cornerstone of journalism.
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Elon Musk published a pro-AfD opinion piece in Germany’s *Welt am Sonntag*, prompting the opinion editor’s resignation. Musk’s commentary, which downplayed the AfD’s extremism, follows his prior social media endorsement of the party. The newspaper’s editor-in-chief and publisher responded, acknowledging freedom of speech while criticizing Musk’s proposed solution. This event occurs ahead of Germany’s February election, where the AfD’s strong showing could impact coalition possibilities.
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Elon Musk’s endorsement of Germany’s far-right AfD party on X has sparked outrage among German officials. The intervention, coming weeks before a snap election, prompted accusations of election interference from Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and calls for Musk to “stay out” of German politics. Chancellor Scholz, while acknowledging freedom of opinion, stated that Musk’s assessment was inaccurate. The AfD, currently polling second, may impact the election outcome despite mainstream parties’ refusal to cooperate with them.
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In short, Elon Musk’s endorsement of Germany’s AfD party, a far-right ethnonationalist group with neo-Nazi ties, has sparked significant controversy. The AfD promotes a vision of Germany that is exclusionary towards immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals, and its rise in popularity is fueling concerns about the country’s political future. Criticism of Musk’s action has been widespread, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz highlighting the right to free speech while also condemning the endorsement’s harmful implications. Both U.S. conservatives and liberals have voiced strong opposition, citing the party’s dangerous ideology and historical connections.
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Following a Christmas market attack in Magdeburg that left five dead, approximately 1,000 far-right protesters rallied, demanding stricter migration controls. Protesters displayed nationalist symbols and chanted anti-immigrant slogans, with minor clashes ensuing with police. The incident fueled existing anti-immigration sentiment, potentially impacting upcoming elections and strengthening the far-right Alternative for Germany party. International figures, such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, used the attack to criticize EU migration policies and warn of similar events in their own countries.
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John Q. Hosedrinker