Tensions are escalating at Tesla's Grünheide plant ahead of the upcoming works council elections, with the IG Metall union filing a criminal complaint against plant manager André Thierig for defamation. The dispute arose after Tesla accused an IG Metall member of attempting to secretly record a works council meeting, leading to police involvement. The public prosecutor's office in Frankfurt (Oder) has confirmed an investigation into a violation of the confidentiality of speech and the Works Constitution Act against an IG Metall representative. The union alleges that Thierig used the incident in an email to staff, framing it as upholding law and order, to influence the election. This conflict is part of a power struggle for majority control of the works council, currently held by IG Metall with 16 out of 39 seats, against the management-aligned "Fraktion 23" reportedly supported by Elon Musk. The election, involving over 10,000 employees in early March, is seen as a crucial decision point for the factory's future expansion.