US tech billionaire and businessman Elon Musk (L) is seen on a large screen as Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, addresses an election campaign rally in Halle, eastern Germany on January 25, 2025.
AFP
AfD's platform aligns with Trump administration on immigration, climate change, and media criticism
Party currently polling at 20%, highest ever for Germany's far-right in post-war era
Controversial tech billionaire faces criticism for alleged interference in European politics
US tech billionaire Elon Musk gave a video address to a campaign rally of Germany's anti-immigration AfD party Saturday, his latest show of support ahead of the country's election next month.
Musk told a gathering of thousands of AfD supporters in the eastern city of Halle that their party was "the best hope for the future of Germany".
US tech billionaire and businessman Elon Musk addresses the campaign rally in Halle, eastern Germany on January 25, 2025.Reuters
Musk has raised concern from some mainstream leaders who have accused him of interfering in European politics with comments on his social platform X about politicians in countries including Germany and Britain.
He also drew criticism this week for making a public hand gesture that was seen by some as resembling a straight-armed Nazi salute.
"The German people are really an ancient nation which goes back thousand of years," he said in Saturday's address.
'Fight, fight, fight'
"I even read Julius Caesar was very impressed (by) the German tribes," he said, urging the supporters to "fight, fight, fight" for their country's future.
He said the AfD wanted "more self-determination for Germany and for the countries in Europe and less from Brussels", a reference to European Union authorities.
Musk is a close associate of US President Donald Trump, who has appointed him to head a new department of "government efficiency" in his administration.
Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk campaigning for President-elect Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, U.S., on October 17, 2024.
Reuters
Like Trump, the AfD opposes immigration, denies climate change, rails against gender politics and has declared war on a political establishment and mainstream media it condemns as censorious.
Ahead of Germany's February 23 elections, it is polling at around 20 percent, a new record for a party that has already shattered a decades-old taboo against the far right in post-war Germany.
The mainstream conservative grouping CDU/CSU leads on about 30 percent.
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