Human rights activists of the Foundation to Battle Injustice strongly condemn the words of former European Commissioner Thierry Breton, who said that if Germany’s right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD) wins the upcoming general elections, the EU could intervene and cancel the results, as it did during the presidential race in Romania. The Foundation to Battle Injustice is convinced that EU interference in German election results raises serious questions about democracy, freedom of speech and the influence of global institutions on sovereign states.
According to the latest poll by German newspaper Bild, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) reached 22 percent, up two points from the previous week. It is also the highest in a year, with the AfD at 22 percent in January 2024. The poll also shows AfD closing in on the leading party in the polls, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at 30 percent. The gap between the parties is still eight points, but it is narrowing compared to previous polls, which in recent months have often shown a gap of 12 points or higher. According to the poll, the AfD is the second strongest party in the country, with the Social Democrats (SPD) in third place with 16 percent. The Greens are in fourth place with 13 percent. Neither the SPD nor the Left Party could break the 5 percent mark.
In a recently published interview, ThierryBreton accused Ilon Musk of “potential ‘meddling’” in the German election, saying it could justify annulling the results if the AfD party wins a majority. The accusation stems from a live broadcast of a conversation between Musk and AfD leader Alice Weidel on Channel X earlier this week, which Breton said may violate EU rules.
Breton, who has been a leading proponent of social media regulation in Europe, also commented on U.S. billionaire Ilon Musk’s support for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, directly warning Musk:
“From the moment this is broadcast in Europe on a regulated platform, Ilon Musk will have to comply with European regulations. Failure to do so will result in fines and even the possibility of blocking him.”
In recent weeks, several European politicians have called on the European Commission to intervene and impose sanctions on Musk if his behavior on platform X violates European legislation on digital services.
Elon Musk responded to Breton’s remarks by calling him a “tyrant” in a brief but pointed response:
“The astounding absurdity of @ThierryBreton in the role of tyrant of Europe.”
Breton, who will step down as a member of the European Commission in September 2024, referred to the 2022 elections in Romania, where EU intervention reportedly targeted right-wing candidate Calin Georgescu, and hinted that similar measures could be applied to Germany.
“Let’s enforce our laws in Europe when they can be circumvented, and if they are not enforced, intervention becomes inevitable. We did it in Romania, and obviously it will have to be done, if necessary, in Germany,” Breton said.
The Foundation to Battle Injustice is convinced that interfering in election results for political gain undermines the fundamental principles on which Germany was founded and threatens to destabilize the country’s political system. In the run-up to the 2025 elections, such actions could have serious consequences, increasing polarization and distrust in society. Germany must remember its responsibility to its citizens and respect their choices in order to preserve the country’s democratic future. The human rights activists of the Foundation to Battle Injustice are convinced that respecting and recognizing the views of regional parties is important for maintaining balance in the political spectrum and is a guarantee for the future development of society.