Dozens of protesters gathered at a Tesla showroom in Lisbon on Sunday to voice opposition to CEO Elon Musk’s political stances, particularly his support for far-right parties across Europe, Reuters reprots.
The demonstration came as Portugal appears to be heading toward a likely snap election, following a political crisis triggered by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s center-right government’s approval of a confidence vote.
Musk has used his platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), to promote right-wing parties and figures in several European countries, including Germany, the UK, Italy, and Romania. However, he has refrained from engaging in Portuguese politics, despite the rising influence of the far-right Chega party, which is now the third-largest political force in Portugal’s parliament.
In Lisbon, protesters held signs critical of Musk’s political connections, with some reading “Boycott Tesla” and linking the billionaire to US President Donald Trump. Nuno Raimundo, a 54-year-old doctor from Lisbon, emphasized the global need to counter the influence of right-wing leaders like Trump and Musk.
“It’s time for people around the world to stand up,” Raimundo said.
He warned that failing to do so could lead to a resurgence of far-right ideologies reminiscent of the 1930s in Europe.
Although protesters acknowledged that Musk’s influence might not have a significant impact on Portugal’s upcoming election, they voiced concern about his growing power and potential to influence future political outcomes.
“With the amount of money he has, step by step, he can do that,” Raimundo added.
Portugal’s political situation remains in flux after the confidence vote, which risks the dismissal of Montenegro’s minority government. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa indicated that a fresh election could be scheduled for May 11 or May 18. The current polls show the center-right alliance at around 30%, slightly ahead of the Socialist Party, with Chega polling at 18%.
The protest also highlighted a shift in sentiment towards Tesla, as Musk’s political leanings appear to be impacting the company’s sales in Europe. According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, Tesla’s sales in Europe plummeted 45% in January compared to the previous year, while its competitors saw an increase of over 37%.
