European leaders criticise Musk for telling Germans to move 'beyond the past'

Top European politicians are among those who have criticised Elon Musk for telling Germans to let go of "the guilt of the past" during an Alternative for Germany (AfD) campaign rally over the weekend.

The South Africa-born billionaire made the contentious remark during a virtual speech at an event attended by thousands of AfD supporters in the east German city of Halle on Saturday.

Musk has previously said that only the far-right AfD, a party which says that Germans should no longer apologise for the country's Nazi past, can "save Germany" in next month's elections.

"To be honest, the focus is too much on the guilt of the past and we have to leave that behind us," the world's richest man said at the campaign rally.

"Children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great grandparents," Musk added, seemingly referring to Germany's Nazi history.

The owner of X also urged Germans to be proud of "German values" and not "lose that in some sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything."

The entrepreneur's comments came shortly after he appeared to mimica Nazi salute during a speech at Donald Trump's presidential inauguration.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was quick to respond to his latest comments, writing on X that Musk's words sounded "all too familiar and ominous".

"Especially only hours before the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz," he said.

Tusk is overseeing commemorations on Monday for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the Nazi concentration camp in Poland where at least 1.1 million people were murdered.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz took to X to say he agreed with his Polish counterpart's appraisal of Musk's words.

Musk also drew criticism from Dani Dayan, the chairman of Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the victims of the Holocaust.

"Contrary to Elon Musk’s advice, the remembrance and acknowledgment of the dark past of the country and its people should be central in shaping the German society," Dayan said.

“Failing to do so is an insult to the victims of Nazism and a clear danger to the democratic future of Germany,” he added.

Steffen Seibert, Germany's ambassador to Israel, said that Musk "doesn't seem to know" much about Germany's history.

"Nobody makes children feel guilty for Nazi crimes. We want them to grow up informed and responsible and to apply the lessons of Germany's past."

Musk has thrown his support behind the AfD ahead of the country's federal elections on 23 February.

During his speech on Saturday, Musk said he was "very excited" for the party. "I think you're really the best hope for Germany ... fight for a great future for Germany," he told AfD supporters to great applause.

The AfD are currently polling in second place with 19% of the projected vote, while the Christian Democratic Union are in first place with 28%.

The CDU's leader, Friedrich Merz, has repeatedly ruled out joining a coalition with the AfD, whose members have been fined for using Nazi slogans.

Last week, however, Merz signalled that he would be open to gaining the AfD's support in pushing through tougher migration policies.

Other parties have denounced the suggestion, as the far-right party is typically shunned by Germany's political establishment.