BERLIN (AP) — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk ignited controversy after endorsing Germany’s far-right party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), in a prominent newspaper just before key parliamentary elections. This has resulted in the resignation of the opinion editor of the paper as a form of protest. Germany is gearing up for an early election on February 23 following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition last month, sparked by disagreements on how to stimulate the country's stagnant economy.

Musk's guest opinion piece, published in Welt am Sonntag — a sister publication of POLITICO owned by the Axel Springer Group — marked the second time this month he publicly supported the AfD. In his piece, Musk characterized the AfD as “the last spark of hope for this country,” asserting that the far-right party could pave the way towards a future where “economic prosperity, cultural integrity, and technological innovation” become realities rather than mere aspirations. He asserted that his substantial investments in Germany gave him the authority to weigh in on the country's political landscape.

Although the AfD is currently polling favorably, its candidate for chancellor, Alice Weidel, is unlikely to have a realistic chance of assuming the role, as other political parties refuse to collaborate with the far-right group. Musk, identified as an ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, questioned the public perception of the AfD, arguing that “the portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false.” He further cited Weidel’s same-sex relationship with a Sri Lankan partner as evoking a misrepresentation of the party’s image compared to extreme historical figures.

His opinions sparked significant debate within German media circles, particularly around the limits of free speech. Eva Marie Kogel, the opinion editor of the Welt, announced her resignation via Musk’s social media platform X, stating, “I handed in my resignation yesterday after it went to print.” Meanwhile, Jan Philipp Burgard, the soon-to-be editor-in-chief, published a critical response alongside Musk’s article, asserting that while Musk’s assessment of Germany's situation is accurate, the belief that only the AfD can save the nation is “fatally wrong.”

Ulf Poschardt, the current editor-in-chief, and Burgard emphasized the importance of free expression in journalism, stating, “Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression.” They expressed intentions to further develop Die Welt as a platform for such critical discussions in the future.

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