German church leaders have issued a warning to their country’s conservative opposition, as a coalition with the right-wing party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) looks increasingly likely.
It comes as Elon Musk made a surprise video address at an AfD rally in Halle, where he told supporters they were too focused on their country’s past guilt.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) form the Bundestag’s conservative opposition block. It is a convention for parties not to collaborate with the AfD, who are branded as extremist by German security services.
However, the CDU’s leader, Friedrich Merz, looks set to collaborate with the far-right party in order to secure a majority needed to pass anti-immigration laws.
Nationalist sentiment has risen in the country after a string of violent attacks allegedly committed by asylum seekers.
Prelate Karl Juesten, head of the Commissariat of German Bishops, said: “The two major churches hereby point out that, according to current knowledge, the proposed changes to the law would not have prevented any of the attacks.
“We fear that German democracy will suffer massive damage if the political promise [not to cooperate with the AfD] is abandoned.”
At an AfD rally on Tuesday night, leader Alice Weidel declared: “We will close the borders of our great fatherland.”
She then introduced Elon Musk, speaking via video to the rapturous crowd.
Smiling and enthusiastic, Musk said: “I’m really excited for the AfD. I really think you’re the best hope for your country.”
“Children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents – or great-grandparents. There is too much focus on past guilt, and we need to move beyond that.
“It's good to be proud of German culture, German values, and not to lose that in some sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything."
The world’s richest man then cheered: “Fight for a great future for Germany, fight for a great future for Germany! Go, go, go.”
The Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, has strongly condemned Musk's comments as "disgusting".
Next month, the country will vote in a snap election, after the collapse of its current three-party ruling coalition, consisting of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), The Greens and the economically conservative Free Democratic Party (FDP).