Elon Musk now says only 'extremist' AfD party can save Germany

Billionaire Elon Musk, who is set to join US President-elect Donald Trump's administration, has stepped into Germany’s election campaign. On Friday, Musk called the far-right

Alternative for Germany

(AfD) party the country’s savior.
The AfD, currently polling second, could disrupt the formation of either a center-right or center-left majority in Germany. However, mainstream parties have pledged not to collaborate with the AfD at the national level.
Germany is scheduled to vote on February 23, following the collapse of the center-left coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
"Only the AfD can save Germany," Musk posted on his social media platform, X.

Musk has previously also supported anti-immigration parties across Europe. Last year, he criticized the German government’s approach to illegal migration.
The German government took note of Musk’s latest statement but declined to comment further during a regular press conference.
Musk’s post was in response to a video and message shared by

Naomi Seibt

, a German right-wing influencer and YouTuber with 300,000 followers. In her post, she criticized

Friedrich Merz

, the conservative candidate for chancellor, who is currently leading in surveys. She claimed Merz is "horrified by the idea that Germany should follow Elon Musk’s and [Argentina President] Javier Milei’s example" and that Merz "staunchly rejects a pro-freedom approach and refuses any discussion with the AfD."
AfD leaders welcomed Musk’s endorsement. Alice Weidel, the party’s chancellor candidate, responded on X, saying, "Yes! You are perfectly right!"

Musk has also expressed views on other European political matters. Last month, he called for the removal of Italian judges who questioned the legality of government actions aimed at preventing irregular immigration.
Additionally, Nigel Farage, leader of Britain’s Reform UK party and an ally of Trump, shared a photo this week of himself and Reform’s treasurer meeting Musk at Trump’s Florida residence. Farage mentioned they were in talks with Musk about financial support.
The AfD, known for its stance against immigration and Islam, has been classified as a “suspected extremist party” by the German judiciary.