German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) warned of external influence on the election in his New Year’s speech. It’s the citizens of Germany who will determine its future, the Chancellor said.
“Not the owners of social media” will decide, he added, likely with a glance at the AfD election appeal from tech billionaire Elon Musk. “In our debates, one can sometimes get the impression: the more extreme the opinion, the greater the attention. But it’s not who shouts the loudest that decides how Germany will go on, but the ‘entire great majority of reasonable and decent people’.”
This also applies to the upcoming federal election on February 23, Scholz said, linking this statement to an election appeal. “Who looks around in the world, knows what a huge achievement free and secret elections are.”
After the Magdeburg attack, the Chancellor also called on people “not to let themselves be stirred up against each other.” It only took a few minutes after the attack for “wild rumors to spread through the internet and social media.” It’s clear: “Where there were shortcomings at the security authorities, these will be clarified and rectified.” However, not a few of the rumors and speculations have since been proven false. “This splits and weakens us. This does not do our country good” the SPD politician said.