The jubilant co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Alice Weidel, said tech billionaire Elon Musk contacted her to congratulate on the performance of her party at yesterday's German election.

       Asked if she had been contacted by Mr Musk following the AfD’s result at the polls, she said: "This morning, when I turned on my phone, I saw I had received calls and messages from the USA, including from Elon Musk with personal congratulations.

       "I will telephone today – with whom I won’t tell you here and now because it’s covered by a certain level of trust – but we’re in touch. We’re the power in Germany that is internationally recognised. We’re in contact with all sides and that includes the Trump administration."

       The tech billionaire voiced his support for the far-right party multiple times in recent months.

       Projected results from Germany's elections show the Christian Democrats on course for victory, after secuing around 29% of the vote, but has said it will not partner with hard-right party AfD. Ms Weidel's party astonishingly shot to second place with around 21% of the vote, the best result for a far-right party in Germany since WW2.

       Germans headed to the polls on Sunday (February 23) to choose a new government in an election dominated by migration, a stagnating economy, and Germany's role in the Ukraine war following Donald Trump's election in the US.

       As the European Union's most populous country and a key NATO member, Germany will play a crucial role in shaping the continent's response to future challenges, including the Trump administration's confrontational foreign and trade policies. Germany has been a significant supplier of weapons to Ukraine, second only to the US.

       CDU/CSU leader Merz has promised "stability instead of chaos" following the collapse of Scholz's three-party coalition, which was marked by protracted internal disputes, including disagreements over how to revitalise the economy.

       However, it remains uncertain whether the conservative leader, if victorious, will be able to form a stable government that performs significantly better. Merz hopes for a two-party coalition but may require a third partner to establish a government.

       Despite support for the AfD—currently tipped for second place—all other parties have ruled out forming a coalition with the Right-wing party, meaning there is little chance of leader Alice Weidel becoming the next chancellor.

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