The hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has achieved a remarkable electoral milestone, marking its best performance in history with over 20% of the vote in recent national elections. Despite this achievement, the party remains on the fringes of political power, as coalition options appear closed. In a twist of events, party leader Alice Weidel shared that she received a congratulatory call from Elon Musk after the elections.
Weidel revealed that she had missed the call from Musk, who has established himself as a controversial figure in global politics through his support for populist movements. The congratulatory call came after a night of celebration for the AfD, which nearly doubled its share of votes from the previous election in 2021. Upon learning of the call, Weidel expressed her surprise and excitement over Musk’s acknowledgment of their electoral success.
Publicly, Musk reiterated his support on the social media platform X, sharing a congratulatory message from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, which he commented on, indicating that the AfD could be a majority party in future elections. The positive feedback from a high-profile figure like Musk raises eyebrows considering the AfD’s controversial reputation, as parts of the party have been flagged as extremist by German intelligence.
Despite the party’s notable gains, traditional establishment leader Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democrats has ruled out forming any coalition with the AfD, effectively sidelining Weidel’s ambitions for greater political clout. Additionally, while some believe Musk's endorsement may have raised the party's profile among business leaders, co-leader Tino Chrupalla acknowledged that it likely did not sway potential voters directly.
Musk's prior engagements with the AfD included a public endorsement and a surprise call during a party meeting, where he encouraged supporters to rally their communities around the party’s agenda, which focuses on immigration restrictions and economic improvement. His influence, however, continues to spark debate around the implications of a foreign figure intervening in German electoral politics, particularly considering the contentious narrative surrounding the AfD and its campaign strategies.
As the party celebrates its accomplishments, the future of the AfD remains uncertain, navigating both internal aspirations and the ongoing challenges of coalition-building amidst Germany’s complex political landscape.
