In the run-up to the German Federal Election, Elon Musk, owner of media platform X (formerly Twitter), has come under fire in the EU. Musk is going to hold a live interview on global Twitter with Alice Weidel, leader of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party. European politicians fear unfair influence on the elections and have proposed legal action against Musk.
In recent months, he has donated many millions of dollars to Donald Trump's election campaign in the United States, and has presented himself more or less as Trump's closest associate. Musk has also recently repeatedly meddled in politics in European countries.
MEPs from several parties, including Renew and the Greens, have called on the European Commission to launch an investigation into Musk's potential breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA). They argue that X could disproportionately promote the interview, putting other political parties at a disadvantage. Damian Boeselager of Volt stated that this sets a "dangerous precedent" and calls for clear guidelines for social media platforms during election periods.
Under the DSA, platforms must be transparent about how they disseminate information and must not take actions that disrupt democratic processes in EU countries. French MEP Sandro Gozi sharply criticized the European Commission for not taking proactive action against Musk.
The European Commission is currently investigating whether the interview violates the DSA. According to a spokesperson, the focus is on whether Musk's platform provides unfair algorithmic advantages to specific political candidates or parties. While there is no explicit ban on interviews, critics stress that X has a responsibility to ensure neutrality during election campaigns.
Political tensions are further exacerbated by recent opinion polls indicating that the AfD could potentially emerge as the largest party in the upcoming Bundestag elections. With an estimated 21% of the vote, the party could form a government together with the CDU/CSU or the new party Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW). The AfD is known for its EU-critical and Russia-friendly positions, which has raised concerns among pro-European parties.
The planned collaboration between Musk and Weidel raises broader questions about the role of tech companies in politics. Critics argue that it is not the job of a tech mogul to sway public opinion or influence election results. On the other hand, supporters of Musk's actions point to the importance of free speech.
The debate over Musk's role in the election is a test case for how the EU can regulate digital platforms to ensure fair elections. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on the European Commission to take action against Musk's alleged interference.