Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, has stirred controversy by openly endorsing the German far-right party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), during the country's election campaign. This action has sparked a wave of reactions from a broad spectrum of German politicians, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz and former Chancellor Angela Merkel. Musk's endorsement was met with enthusiasm from AfD leaders, who quickly used his support to bolster their campaign.
However, the response from other political figures has been markedly critical. Leaders from parties across the political spectrum, including the SPD, CDU, and FDP, have expressed alarm at what they perceive as foreign interference in German politics. Matthias Miersch from the SPD highlighted the dangers of external influences in the election process, while Dennis Radtke of the CDU criticized Musk's actions as a threat to democracy. FDP's Christian Lindner invited Musk to discuss the political landscape in Germany, emphasizing that the AfD stands against entrepreneurship and freedom.
The German government, while acknowledging Musk's right to free speech, has refrained from formally commenting on his actions. Chancellor Scholz noted that freedom of expression allows for statements that might not be aligned with sound political advice.
Musk's involvement in German politics coincides with ongoing quality issues at Tesla, including a significant vehicle recall. These problems, coupled with his political stance, are contributing to a tarnished reputation for the company in Germany. Calls for a boycott of Tesla have emerged as a result of Musk's controversial political engagement, illustrating the potential business repercussions of his foray into international politics.
