Germany’s economic and climate minister, Robert Habeck, is on a campaign tour, criticizing the influence of US billionaires like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg on the global tech industry. In a recent speech in Göttingen, Habeck described himself as an “underdog” in the upcoming federal election, with the Greens currently polling around 12-14 percent.
Habeck criticized the tech moguls, saying they are shaping a “destructive” and “authoritarian” technology capitalism. He accused Musk of promoting a “destructive” approach, while Zuckerberg’s recent stance on free speech and censorship was seen as a “gesture of submission” to the dominant tech industry.
The minister also drew a parallel between the US and China, saying that both countries are promoting similar technological methods, but with different goals. In China, it’s about the power of the state, while in the US, it’s about the power of super-rich billionaires.
Habeck’s speech also touched on his party’s environmental and economic policies, including the growth of renewable energy in Germany, which now accounts for 60 percent of the country’s electricity production. However, he did not address the high electricity prices in Germany, which are a topic of debate in the country.