Elon Musk’s decision to host far-right German leader Alice Weidel in a live broadcast on his platform, X (formerly Twitter), has sparked a sharp backlash from European Union leaders and lawmakers.
As reported by Politico, Brussels is being urged to use its legal powers to counter Musk’s potential influence on the German elections, scheduled for February 23. According to the European Commission, Musk’s actions could violate the Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates the operation of social networks. If the live broadcast is deemed to unfairly boost the visibility of the AfD over its rivals, sanctions could include fines of up to 6% of X’s global turnover or even a temporary ban on the platform.
Reactions from Europe
French President Emmanuel Macron accused Musk of “going too far” in his support for the AfD, a party accused of attempting to downplay Nazi crimes. The party is currently polling in second place, adding significant weight to the upcoming German elections.
German MEP Alexandra Giese noted that Musk’s actions go beyond free speech, alleging that the platform’s algorithms disproportionately amplify far-right propaganda while suppressing progressive content.
Meanwhile, the European Commission, which has already launched an investigation into X’s compliance with the DSA, has scheduled a meeting with German regulators and platform representatives on January 24.
Musk’s involvement, particularly as he is set to assume a role in the Trump administration as the head of the Department of Productivity, complicates the EU’s position. Some European leaders worry that any action against Musk could strain relations with the new U.S. administration.
Felix Carte, a senior analyst at the Mercator Foundation, emphasized that European leaders must decide whether they are prepared to confront the Trump administration to safeguard transparency and democracy in Europe.
Legal and Regulatory Issues
The Commission is examining whether Musk’s actions breach the platform’s obligation to mitigate risks to the democratic process, as outlined in the DSA. Allegations that the platform artificially inflates the popularity of AfD-related content could serve as grounds for legal intervention.
Former EU digital policy commissioner Thierry Breton reminded Musk that supporting specific political parties or individuals could violate European social media laws. Although Breton has since left the European Commission, he remains highly critical of Musk.
Next Steps
The European Commission faces the challenging task of enforcing EU law while managing political implications. The outcome of this case will have significant repercussions for electoral transparency and EU-U.S. relations.
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