Social democrat Cansel Kiziltepe has linked a droop within the automotive maker’s gross sales to CEO Elon Musk’s “far-right positions”
A Berlin senator has branded Elon Musk’s Tesla a “Nazi automotive,” whereas commenting on the corporate’s declining gross sales. Social democrat Cansel Kiziltepe attacked the electrical car maker in a now-deleted put up on X on Wednesday.
Musk has confronted criticism within the EU for his perceived right-wing political opinions. He was condemned in Germany for endorsing the Various for Germany (AfD) celebration, and within the wider EU for being a detailed ally of US President Donald Trump, whose insurance policies on points comparable to range and the Ukraine battle don’t align with these of Brussels.
Musk in flip has accused the EU of censorship, bureaucratic overreach, and financial hurt, typically framing the bloc’s insurance policies as stifling free speech and nationwide autonomy.
“Who desires to drive a Nazi automotive? Electrical automotive producers are experiencing a gross sales increase – other than Tesla,” Kiziltepe, a member of the Social Democratic Celebration (SPD) and the senator for labour, social affairs, equality, integration, range and anti-discrimination of the state of Berlin, wrote on X.
The put up drew sharp criticism from officers within the neighboring state of Brandenburg, dwelling to Tesla’s solely automotive manufacturing facility in Europe. Brandenburg’s minister-president, Dietmar Woidke, slammed it as being “utterly misplaced,” whereas the state’s financial minister, Daniel Keller, demanded that Kiziltepe retract her assertion.
The put up has since been deleted, though Kiziltepe has defended her place, stating on X on Friday that she “expressly stands” by her evaluation of Musk, and linking Tesla’s droop in gross sales to “the far-right positions” of its CEO.
Within the first quarter of this yr, Tesla car deliveries dropped globally by 13% year-on-year, automotive income slumped 20% and web revenue plunged by 71%.
Tesla’s Gigafactory close to Berlin was focused by protesters earlier this yr when the phrase “heil” was seen projected onto its wall subsequent to the automaker’s brand, spelling the message “Heil Tesla.” Throughout a marketing campaign ceremony marking Trump’s inauguration in January, Musk made a gesture that his critics interpreted as a Nazi “Sieg Heil” salute. Musk dismissed the accusations as politically motivated.
The billionaire has beforehand voiced his assist of Germany’s right-wing AfD, a rival to the ruling SPD. Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz referred to as Musk’s backing of the AfD “disgusting.” Financial Minister Robert Habeck additionally accused the entrepreneur of launching a “frontal assault” on democracy.
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The AfD secured 20.8% of the vote within the German federal election in February, changing into the nation’s second-largest celebration. Immigration and financial discontent have been cited as among the many key components behind the celebration’s success.
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