German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has criticized Elon Musk for publicly supporting the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The remarks come just weeks before Germany’s general elections, scheduled for 23 February.
Musk Accused of Election Interference
Musk, owner of the social media platform X, has repeatedly endorsed the AfD. Recently, he posted, “Only the AfD can save Germany,” and wrote an op-ed in Welt am Sonntag promoting the party.
German officials accused Musk of interfering in the electoral process. Scholz condemned Musk’s actions, saying, “Supporting a partly right-wing extremist party is unacceptable. This is not just concerning; I categorically reject it.”
Scholz Criticizes Media Influence and Algorithmic Manipulation
The chancellor, who has faced personal attacks from Musk in the past, expressed concern over the influence of global media entrepreneurs. “It’s not the first time my party has dealt with wealthy critics,” Scholz said. “What’s new is the use of algorithms to shape public opinion on a global scale.”
Scholz Denies Rumors of Meeting with Putin
Scholz also addressed rumors of a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling them baseless. “These claims are false and indecent. There is no evidence, and no one has even considered such a meeting,” Scholz stated.
The chancellor emphasized the importance of rejecting false information and external interference during this critical election period.