Elon Musk Accused of Influencing German Elections

Elon Musk has been accused by the German government of attempting to sway the upcoming federal elections by endorsing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Musk, who described the AfD as 'the last spark of hope' for Germany in an op-ed for Welt am Sonntag, claims his significant investments in the country justify his involvement in its political discourse. German officials, including spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann, acknowledged Musk's right to express his opinion but criticized his influence as potentially detrimental, labeling it 'nonsense'. The AfD, which polls around 19%, is under domestic intelligence scrutiny for its extremist ties, raising further concerns about Musk's comments. The situation has escalated tensions in German politics, leading to resignations within the media and condemnation from various political leaders. Musk's interventions come as Germany prepares for elections on February 23, following the collapse of Chancellor Scholz's coalition government.