Overview

• Elon Musk posted on X that “either Germany votes AfD or it is the end of Germany,” renewing his public endorsement ahead of the September 14 municipal vote.
• His message responded to coverage of Cologne’s Fairness-Abkommen, a pledge by several parties to avoid scapegoating migrants that did not include the AfD.
• Researchers expect AfD advances across NRW, with particular growth in the Ruhr area, and a July Forsa survey put the party at about 14 percent statewide.
• The AfD demonstrated local strength in February’s Bundestag vote, topping the poll in Gelsenkirchen with 24.7 percent and running close in parts of Duisburg.
• Musk’s backing of right‑populist parties extends beyond Germany, including public support for Reform UK and Fratelli d’Italia, with media reports alleging a large donation to Reform UK.