Elon Musk ‘s Support for the AfD Amid Germany’s Political Turmoil

On December 20, Elon Musk posted on X that the only thing capable of “saving Germany” was the AfD, signaling his support for a political party that has steadily shifted toward the extreme right since its inception in 2013. As Germany approaches a snap election on February 23, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is unlikely to join the next ruling coalition, as other parties have explicitly rejected collaboration. However, in recent polling, the AfD, known for its anti-immigration stance and pro-Russia position, ranks second, trailing the center-right opposition conservatives. The party has garnered support from voters disillusioned with mainstream parties, especially in the former communist eastern regions.

What is the AfD? What does it represent?

The AfD was founded over a decade ago by economists and former politicians dissatisfied with Germany’s euro policy. They advocated abandoning the euro and opposed a bailout for Greece, a struggling EU partner. The group rejected financial support for other EU nations in crisis, solidifying their position. This stance contributed to their rise as a political force.

Rise in Anti-Immigration Sentiment

Support for the AfD’s anti-immigration agenda surged in 2015 and 2016 after over 1 million refugees arrived. Many refugees fled Syria’s civil war under former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government. The AfD advocates deporting all illegal migrants and those who violated laws since entering Germany. It also calls for abolishing the country’s asylum policy, which the constitution enshrines.

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Anti-EU and Pro-Russia Agenda

In a December 19 interview, AfD co-leader Alice Weidel criticized the EU’s decision to ban combustion-engine vehicles by 2035. She claimed the move would destroy Germany’s auto industry, which is crucial to the economy. The AfD’s election manifesto advocates for Germany’s exit from the EU and eurozone, reversing decades of integration. Additionally, the party supports rebuilding ties with Russia, severed after its invasion of Ukraine, and opposes military aid for Ukraine. The AfD also questions human-caused climate change and calls for halting Germany’s renewable energy transition to revive nuclear power.

Extremist Label and Controversies

German authorities have labeled several regional AfD chapters, its youth organization, and key party members as openly extremist. The party has faced increased scrutiny over its alleged sympathies toward Nazism, following controversial remarks by party officials and related investigations. A January 2024 report by investigative outlet Correctiv linked the AfD to a meeting of right-wing activists near Berlin, where discussions reportedly echoed Nazi-era policies. This sparked protests across Germany, many specifically targeting the AfD. In response, Weidel downplayed the report but dismissed an advisor who had attended the meeting.

Controversial Remarks and Legal Actions

Bjoern Hoecke, the AfD’s leader in Thuringia, was fined €13,000 ($13,519) in May for using the Nazi slogan “Alles für Deutschland” (“Everything for Germany”) at a rally. The phrase, associated with Hitler’s paramilitary group, was deemed illegal under German laws banning Nazi symbols. Hoecke, a former history teacher, has a history of controversial statements, including calling the Holocaust memorial in Berlin a “monument of shame.”

Calls for Outlawing the AfD

Critics have called for banning the AfD, but such a move requires strict legal conditions to succeed. Many fear the constitutional court’s rejection of a ban could be seen as a victory for the party. Alternatively, the AfD could face denial of public funding, a measure previously applied to the far-right NPD. This strategy aims to limit the party’s influence and financial resources.

The AfD’s Current Strength

While the AfD saw a decline in the 2021 national election, dropping from nearly 13% of the vote in 2017 to about 10%, it remains a significant force in German politics. Currently, the party holds 76 of 733 seats in Germany’s lower house of parliament, making it the fifth-largest party. Since the 2021 election, the AfD has capitalized on the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition, which unraveled in November after a dispute over government borrowing, leading to the upcoming snap election.

In national polls, the AfD enjoys around 19% support, according to wsj subscription polling average. The Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union bloc leads with 31%, while Scholz’s Social Democrats hold 16%, and the Greens trail with 13%.

Elon Musk ‘s endorsement of the AfD reflects growing discontent in Germany, but the party’s extremist shift makes coalition formation unlikely. Despite this, its rising support shows frustration with mainstream politics.