Several European leaders have denounced, immediately or not directly, the actions of the proprietor of the social community
The feud between Europe and the world’s richest man is heating up after a number of European leaders accused Elon Musk of interfering in nationwide debates.
The French president, the German chancellor, the British and Spanish prime ministers have denounced the American billionaire’s outbursts on his social community X (previously Twitter).
Without naming him, French President Emmanuel Macron accused Musk of supporting “a brand new reactionary International”.
“Ten years in the past, if somebody had instructed us that the proprietor of one of many largest social networks on this planet would help a brand new reactionary International and intervene immediately within the elections, together with in Germany, who would have imagined it,” Macron mentioned.
The Spanish Prime Minister echoed the expression. “The Reactionary International, as President Macron said (…), led by the richest man on the planet, brazenly assaults our establishments, incites hatred and brazenly requires help for the heirs of Nazism in Germany within the subsequent elections,” mentioned Pedro Sanchez.
In current weeks, Musk has made a collection of stunning statements.
The billionaire and shut pal of Donald Trump known as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz “an incompetent idiot” after the assault on the Magdeburg Christmas market.
The Tesla boss additionally negligently attacked British Prime Minister Keir Starmer when he was a prosecutor within the Nineteen Nineties in relation to the sexual exploitation of greater than 1,500 underage ladies by males of Pakistani origin.
Berlin condemned the billionaire’s “irregular statements” and London denounced “those that unfold lies and disinformation”.
Musk’s interference within the German election marketing campaign is now taking one other flip. On Thursday, he’ll broadcast stay on X an interview with Alice Weidel, co-chairman of the far-right German social gathering Alternative for Germany (AfD), which he brazenly helps.
It’s not prohibited, however can it’s amplified?
It is due to this fact no marvel that EU member states take note of what the European Commission may need to say.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot known as on the Commission to intervene “with the utmost firmness”. The French overseas affairs chief didn’t rule out a ban on X in Europe, much like what occurred in Brazil. “This is supplied for in our legal guidelines,” he mentioned.
The European Commission will examine the social community from 2023 below the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
German MEP Damian Boeselager (Greens/EFA) questioned the Commission on Elon Musk’s place and the legality of those interventions.
“If there’s a breach of the DSA, I want to see a fast response. So if quite simple, Elon Musk will increase his attain and makes use of that enhance to suggest a celebration, the AfD in Germany within the German elections if that’s unlawful below the DSA, then this might require swift motion,” Boeselager mentioned.
ANNOUNCEMENTThe Commission underlines that freedom of expression is on the coronary heart of European laws. However, on this case, the EU can use one other lever.
“Through algorithms it’s doable to favor a sure kind of narrative. You can favor a sure kind of content material, or you may attempt to ban one other”, defined Thomas Regnier, spokesperson for the European Commission.
“We have clearly indicated that such a livestream will not be, in precept, prohibited by the DSA. Now, to what extent is it or may it’s amplified? This is what the Commission will look at,” he added.
The Commission, the German regulator and huge digital platforms, together with X, will meet on January 24 to keep away from interference throughout the German elections.
ANNOUNCEMENTVideo editor • Sertac Aktan
