Germany's leading politicians, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck, condemned billionaire Elon Musk's continued support for the far-right AfD party on Tuesday, two months before the legislative elections.
"Citizens decide the outcome of the vote, not social media owners," Chancellor Scholz said in his New Year’s message set to be broadcast on Tuesday evening.
"It is not the loudest voice that determines what happens next in Germany, but rather the vast majority of decent and reasonable people," added the Social Democrat leader.
Vice-Chancellor Habeck, also Minister for Economy and Climate Action, criticised Musk's "logic" and "system" in his own New Year's message.
"Musk empowers those who weaken Europe. A weak Europe benefits those who see regulation as an inappropriate limit to their power," said Green Party candidate Habeck.
Germany is growing increasingly uncomfortable with the billionaire's influence on the future Trump presidency, where Musk is expected to lead the 'Department of Government Efficiency'.
On Saturday, the daily newspaper Welt published an opinion piece in which Musk, CEO of X, SpaceX, and Tesla, claimed that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the "last glimmer of hope" for the country.
On Monday night, the world's richest man reiterated his strong support for the AfD on X, using his pseudonym Kekius Maximus, predicting the party would achieve an "epic victory" in the elections.
A Tuesday poll by Insa, published by Bild, showed the AfD with 20.5% of voting intentions, second only to the leading conservative opposition at 31%.
