FDP’s Deputy Faction Leader, Konstantin Kuhle, advises to stay away from Elon Musk. “Hands off Elon Musk” Kuhle told the Stern. “Anyone who cares about liberal democracy should keep a safe distance from that man.”
In early December, FDP Chairman Lindner had called for taking more risks, like electing Milei or Musk. Kuhle now describes the election appeal by Musk for the AfD as unsurprising. “After Elon Musk wanted to support the right-populist Reform Party in the UK with his money and even fueled racist riots there, it’s not surprising at all” the FDP politician said.
Kuhle also expressed his willingness to pass new security laws before the February 23 election to improve the protection of critical infrastructure. “The Kritis Law could be passed before the election.” This would be a strong signal to Moscow, given the attempted interference in German election campaigns by Russia, Kuhle believes. “That also applies to the law reintroducing the military draft, which Boris Pistorius is planning.”
The military draft law was approved by the cabinet at the end of November, and a vote in the German Bundestag is still pending. “In 2011, I even advocated for the exemption of the military draft, but the security situation has dramatically worsened since then” Kuhle said. He diagnosed a “lacking societal robustness” and believes the military draft could help.
The Liberal wants to go even further. “I’m in favor of a mandatory mustering duty for all men and women” Kuhle said. “I’m in the minority within my party on this issue, but I think we’ll regret not doing it in two or three years” the FDP politician said.