Rising Concerns as Polls Indicate Far-Right AfD Close to Power in Germany

A new survey has raised alarming concerns about the potential rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which may soon secure a substantial position in government. The poll reveals that Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of a popular social media platform, has been a significant factor in promoting the AfD, where its leader, Alice Weidel, is now a leading contender for the chancellorship.

The poll's findings have been labeled "utterly terrifying" by Labour MP Blair McDougall, who is a member of the Commons foreign affairs select committee. He criticized Musk, calling him “the most irresponsible man on Earth,” especially since the poll was released shortly after the global observance of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp, a stark reminder of historical atrocities.

According to the results from the Washington DC Democracy Institute, the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) lead the poll at 27%, just ahead of the AfD, which stands at 25%. Meanwhile, Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) trail significantly at 15%, followed by the Greens at 13%. Notably, Weidel has emerged as the most favored candidate for chancellor with 35%, far surpassing CDU's Friedrich Merz, who has 26%, while Scholz lags behind at 15%.

These findings are particularly troubling as they come on the heels of Merz’s recent decision to collaborate with the far-right on migration issues, breaking an 80-year tradition of distancing from such groups. The German elections, initially set for September 28, have now been rescheduled to February 23 due to the collapse of Scholz's government.

The poll also indicates a shift in public sentiment towards Musk, with 41% disapproving of his involvement and only 36% approving. Nevertheless, 28% of respondents noted they were more inclined to vote for the AfD due to Musk's influence, while only 23% expressed a tendency to vote against them. McDougall expressed his disgust at the implications of the poll results, particularly in light of recent Holocaust remembrances, pointing to a growing trend where Germany might be leaning towards far-right ideologies, driven by influential figures.

the "shy Musk voter," similar to voting behaviors seen during Brexit and the 2016 Trump election. He noted that individuals might not always publicly disclose their voting intentions while holding different views in private.

The Democracy Institute, an American polling organization adhering to British standards, has accurately predicted various political trends in the past, having foreseen the Brexit result and the success of far-right leaders in Europe, indicating that the current polling trends merit serious attention.