Elon Musk made an unexpected appearance at an election rally for the far-right German party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). He urged Germans to ‘move beyond past guilt’ as protests erupted against the party.
Musk encourages pride in German identity
Speaking to around 4,500 attendees at the AfD campaign event in Halle, eastern Germany, Musk called for a focus on German culture. He suggested it was time to stop dwelling on historical guilt. This comment seemed to reference Germany’s Nazi-era past.
“It is important to take pride in German culture and values,” Musk said. He also remarked, “We should not lose these aspects to a form of multiculturalism that waters down everything.”
The tech magnate’s comments sparked further controversy after he made a gesture at a separate event that some compared to a Nazi salute. At the rally, Musk insisted that “children should not bear guilt for the actions of their parents or grandparents.” This came just before International Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January.
Widespread protests target the far-right
In response to the rally, tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated in cities across Germany. The AfD, known for its anti-immigration and anti-Islamic policies, has been officially classified as a right-wing extremist group by German security services.
In Berlin, protesters gathered at the Brandenburg Gate, lighting up their phones and singing anti-fascist songs. Meanwhile, demonstrators in Cologne held banners denouncing the AfD. One participant emphasised the need to “stand united against the far right.”
Migration policy adds to political tensions
The political debate over migration has intensified ahead of Germany’s general election on 23 February. Friedrich Merz, leader of the centre-right Union bloc, has proposed stricter policies on migration. He wants to block entry to people without proper documentation and increase deportations. However, there are concerns that these measures could pass with AfD support in parliament.
The proposals followed a recent knife attack in Aschaffenburg. A rejected asylum seeker killed a man and a two-year-old boy, sparking public outrage. The incident has added fuel to the ongoing political debate over migration.
Activist groups such as Fridays for Future organised protests under the slogan “sea of light against the right turn.” They aimed to highlight the impact of far-right ideologies and the risk of normalising extremist policies.
Despite Musk’s endorsement, the AfD’s political influence remains constrained. Most German political parties refuse to collaborate with the group. At the Halle rally, Alice Weidel, the AfD’s candidate for chancellor, spoke alongside co-leader Tino Chrupalla. However, their chances of forming a government remain slim.
