Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday that X owner and Donald Trump ally Elon Musk "openly attacks our institutions" and "stirs up hatred," reports AFP.

Musk, who is set for a role in US President-elect Trump`s administration, has provoked fury across Europe with a string of attacks on the continent`s leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

During a speech for the start of official commemorations on the 50th anniversary of dictator Francisco Franco`s death, Sanchez accused Musk of heading an "international reactionary" movement that "openly attacks our institutions, stirs up hatred and openly calls for the support of the heirs of Nazism in Germany`s upcoming elections."

"All this is a problem, a challenge, a challenge that should challenge all of us who believe in democracy," the Socialist premier added at the event at Madrid`s Reina Sofia art museum , the home to Pablo Picasso`s "Guernica" painting, one of the most famous anti-Franco works.

Musk has offered strong support to the extreme-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) ahead of snap elections in the country on February 23, and will host a discussion on X with the party`s leader Alice Weidel on Thursday.

The billionaire has also called for Starmer to be removed, and urged the release from jail of Tommy Robinson, one of Britain`s best known far-right agitators.