US billionaire Elon Musk is trying to influence Germany's federal elections scheduled for February 23, a German government spokesman said on Monday.
"It is true that Elon Musk is trying to influence the federal elections," the spokesman said, noting that Musk had expressed support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party through posts on the social network X and an article published over the weekend.
Musk, who is known for his controversial statements, is free to express his opinion, the spokesman added. "After all, freedom of speech also encompasses the most absurd things."
Musk posted a comment on the social network X in which he said that "only the AfD can save Germany". He praised the party for its approach to regulations, tax policy and market deregulation. On Sunday, his comments were expanded on in an article for the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, the flagship publication of the Axel Springer media group.
The February elections come after the collapse of the coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Musk's support for the AfD comes at a time when the party, known for its nationalist and Eurosceptic positions, is gaining popularity among certain segments of German society.
Musk, who has been appointed as an unpopular adviser to US President-elect Donald Trump, has drawn attention for his increasingly frequent intervention in international political affairs.
Musk's support for the "Alternative for Germany" has sparked serious debate in Germany, where the issue of foreign interference in political processes is a sensitive topic. Although his statements fall under the protection of freedom of speech, they have been criticized as potentially destructive for the political climate in the country.