Scholz Criticizes Musk for Influencing German Elections Ahead of 2024 Vote

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has openly criticized tech billionaire Elon Musk, accusing him of attempting to manipulate the forthcoming snap election scheduled for February 23, 2024. This condemnation follows Musk's endorsement of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party through an opinion piece published in the Welt am Sonntag newspaper and his activity on social media.

In a televised New Year’s Eve address, Scholz urged German voters to ensure that the direction of the country is determined solely by its citizens rather than "owners of social media platforms." Scholz underscored the importance of resisting outside influence and staying united to protect democracy, especially in light of recent events that have spurred disinformation campaigns surrounding the tragic Christmas market attack in Magdeburg.

Musk's endorsement of the AfD was met with public backlash, leading to the resignation of the paper's commentary editor in protest. The German government is concerned about increasing polarization and the spread of extremist views, emphasizing that the future of society rests with the reasonable majority.

Scholz's remarks serve as a reminder of the ongoing tensions surrounding social media's role in modern political discourse, especially as Germany approaches its crucial election.

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