Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticised Elon Musk on Wednesday, accusing the billionaire of undermining democratic institutions and inciting hatred.
During a speech marking the 50th anniversary of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco’s death, Sánchez described Musk, who owns X and is aligned with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, as leading an international reactionary movement that threatens democratic values. “He openly attacks our institutions, stirs up hatred, and backs the heirs of Nazism in Germany’s upcoming elections,” Sánchez said at Madrid’s Reina Sofia art museum, home to Picasso’s anti-Franco masterpiece, Guernica.
Musk has sparked outrage across Europe with recent attacks on prominent leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The tech mogul has endorsed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) ahead of Germany’s February 23 snap elections and is set to host a discussion on X with the party’s leader, Alice Weidel.
Elon Musk also called for the ousting of Starmer and demanded the release of far-right British agitator Tommy Robinson. Sánchez urged democracies to unite against these challenges, warning that such rhetoric poses a serious threat to global stability.
