Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest billionaire, expressed support for the far-right and anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of the elections in Germany today. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described Musk’s support as “truly disgusting” and said it was detrimental to democratic development across the European Union.

Elon Musk once again shared his support for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) Party, known for its far-right and anti-immigrant stance, on his X/Twitter platform before the general elections in Germany today.

WHAT IS THE AfD PARTY?

Alternative for Germany (Alternative für Deutschland – AfD) is an extreme right-wing party that focuses on anti-immigrant rhetoric and advocates mass deportations.

The party also supports abandoning the euro currency in favor of the mark and halting climate policies.

AfD is frequently criticized due to claims that some of its leaders’ rhetoric resembles Nazi rhetoric.

For instance, European Parliament Member Maximilian Krah stated last year that not all Nazi paramilitary members were “automatically guilty.”

Party leader Björn Höcke has been fined multiple times for using Nazi slogans.

“ONLY AfD CAN SAVE GERMANY”

Musk has repeatedly shown support for AfD on his X account.

In a post last month, he used the words, “Only AfD can save Germany.”

MUSK’S REFERENCE TO NAZI PAST

Joining a virtual rally for the party in January, Musk said, “This election could be critical for the future of civilization.”

He also mentioned that it’s good for Germany to take pride in its German culture and values instead of getting lost in a kind of multiculturalism that dilutes everything.

Musk also added that Germany focuses too much on its sense of guilt from the past.

This comment was viewed as a reference to the country’s Nazi history.

CHANCELLOR SCHOLZ: “MUSK’S SUPPORT FOR THE FAR-RIGHT IS TRULY DISGUSTING”

Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, who has been in tense relations with Musk for weeks, strongly criticized Musk’s support for AfD.

Scholz described Musk’s support for AfD and other extreme right-wing parties in Europe as “truly disgusting” and said it was “detrimental to democratic development across the European Union.”

Scholz also condemned Musk’s comment about Germany’s focus on its past sense of guilt, saying, “I am extremely angry about Elon Musk intervening in favor of the far right and not responding adequately to the deaths of many Jews.”

Musk, on the other hand, frequently insulted Scholz on X and in one post referred to him as an “incompetent fool.”

WHO IS LEADING IN THE GERMAN ELECTION POLLS?

According to the latest election polls, AfD is in second place with around a 20% vote share. The party has doubled its votes compared to four years ago.

The conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) coalition in Germany is leading with just under 30% of the vote.

The current ruling party, the Social Democrats (SPD), has experienced a significant drop in recent years and is currently hovering around 15%.