WD, Jan 10, (V7N) - Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of the social media platform X, is set to host a live-streamed discussion with Alice Weidel, the leader of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, on Thursday. This event has sparked concerns in Berlin and Brussels about Musk's involvement in influencing the upcoming German national election, scheduled for February 23.

Musk's support for the AfD, which has been labeled a right-wing extremist party by German security services, follows his previous political actions, including supporting Republican Donald Trump’s re-election bid. Musk’s growing political influence across Europe has caused alarm among leaders, especially in Germany, where he has significant economic ties through Tesla's European plant.

 
The AfD, known for its anti-immigration and anti-Islamic stance, has been gaining traction in Germany's political landscape. Recent polling shows the party in second place with 21.5% of the vote, behind the conservative bloc at 31%. Critics of the AfD fear that Musk’s endorsement could further increase its popularity, undermining support for mainstream political parties and complicating coalition-building.

In the live-streamed talk, Musk plans to discuss the AfD's stance on taxes, market deregulation, and other issues. However, the European Commission is scrutinizing the event as part of an investigation into possible violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates online platforms. Concerns have been raised about whether the livestream could be considered political advertising, with possible implications for German campaign finance laws.

Musk has defended his involvement in German politics, citing his "significant investments" in the country and praising the AfD's approach to regulation. Meanwhile, critics continue to worry about the broader implications of Musk’s growing political influence across Europe.

Key Details:

Date of the livestream: Thursday at 7 PM (1800 GMT)

Main subjects: Taxes, deregulation, and market policies

Concerns: Potential political interference, campaign finance violations, and algorithm manipulation

AfD's current position: Second in polls at 21.5%, trailing conservatives at 31%

 

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