Elon Musk’s upcoming chat with Alice Weidel, leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has sparked outrage among European politicians, who argue it could unduly influence the upcoming elections. The AfD, which is currently polling second, is considered a “suspected extremist organization” by German intelligence and promotes stances such as defending free speech and reducing asylum support. While outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other leaders have criticized Musk, experts note that if the content remains legal, the livestream won’t violate laws on free speech. However, concerns arise about civic discourse, especially if Musk’s engagement favors the AfD over other parties.
The European Union’s Digital Services Act requires platforms like X to mitigate risks to civic discourse and electoral processes. Critics like Simone Ruf argue that Musk’s preferential treatment of his own posts raises potential violations of the Act. Furthermore, the German civil society initiative LobbyControl suggests the interview could be seen as an illegal party donation, given that Musk aims to bolster the AfD’s visibility. As Musk has previously expressed support for right-wing figures in Europe, his latest actions continue to draw significant scrutiny and concern about their impact on democratic processes.
