German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has criticized the interference of Trump advisor Elon Musk in the German election campaign.
“The democracy is stronger than Elon Musk” Scholz told the Funke Media Group’s Saturday editions and the French newspaper “Ouest-France”. He, however, stressed that “he is stirring up the election of extreme right parties in Europe, not just in Germany, but also in many other countries”.
Scholz did not confirm whether a friend of Germany still rules the White House with US President Donald Trump. Instead, he replied, “The US is our friend. We owe it primarily to the US that Germany became a democratic and free country after 1945. This foundation supports our relations.”
The SPD’s top candidate criticized the tariffs on aluminum and steel announced by Trump. “I am of the opinion that we need fewer trade barriers, not more” he said. “In this specific case, Europe is standing closely together.” The European Union, with its 450 million inhabitants, is the world’s largest economic area, Scholz noted. “That gives us a strong position.” The EU Commission will “react very quickly” he added.