Elon Musk's opinion piece in German newspaper Welt supporting the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has ignited controversy and debate about free speech.
Germany is to hold an early election on February 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country's stagnant economy. Elon Musk , the CEO of Tesla, wrote an opinion piece in the German newspaper Welt over the weekend, the second time this month he has supported the Alternative for Germany , or AfD.
Musk described AfD as 'the last spark of hope for this country,' saying it 'can lead the country into a future where economic prosperity, cultural integrity and technological innovation are not just wishes, but reality.' He also stated that his investments in Germany gave him the right to comment on the country's condition. The AfD is polling strongly, but its candidate for the top job, Alice Weidel, has no realistic chance of becoming chancellor because other parties refuse to work with the far-right party. Musk challenged the party's public image, calling the portrayal of AfD as right-wing extremist 'clearly false.' He pointed to Weidel's same-sex partner from Sri Lanka as evidence. Musk's commentary sparked a debate in German media over the boundaries of free speech, with Welt's opinion editor, Eva Marie Kogel, resigning and announcing her decision on Musk's social media platform, X.
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