The hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party may not have achieved all its election goals, but its notable second-place finish in the recent national elections has prompted a congratulatory phone call from tech mogul Elon Musk. Alice Weidel, the party's chancellor candidate, revealed on Monday that she missed Musk’s initial call, which came after the AfD claimed 20.8% of the electoral vote—nearly double from the previous election in 2021. Once awakened, Weidel discovered Musk had personally congratulated her.
Further demonstrating his support, Musk later retweeted a congratulatory message from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, enhancing the visibility of Weidel and the AfD’s accomplishment. This marks a significant milestone for the AfD, which achieved its best performance in modern German history—being the most successful far-right party since World War II. However, the success is shadowed by the fact that Friedrich Merz, leader of the winning Christian Democrats, has ruled out any coalition agreements with the AfD.
The party’s platform includes reducing irregular immigration and enhancing economic performance, yet some factional elements have raised concerns among German intelligence, leading to their classification as extremist. Despite this, recent interactions between party members and figures such as U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who advocated for inclusion of far-right groups in mainstream politics, have raised eyebrows.
Musk, a prominent supporter of the AfD, previously engaged with Weidel both on social media and through a lengthy video chat. Although some have speculated whether Musk's backing would significantly impact voter turnout, AfD officials noted that his endorsement has sparked interest and financial contributions from various business circles.
The unprecedented direct involvement of Musk, a foreign individual and political advisor, in German elections has elicited intense scrutiny, particularly as he suggested that Germany’s focus on historical guilt is excessive. As the political landscape shifts, the AfD is left navigating a complex reality, overshadowed by significant political obstacles, yet buoyed by newfound attention on the world stage.
