Despite growing criticism of the social network X and its owner Elon Musk, the FDP and the Greens have decided to continue using the platform.
“We must be as a democratic party where the debate takes place” said FDP General Secretary Marco Buschmann to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”. “That also includes X with millions of users in Germany.”
Especially when there is a trend of opinion-making that goes against an open society, one must be present, Buschmann said. “Because the flight from the debate is not an option. Liberal democracy lives from the exchange of arguments.”
The Greens also want to continue using X for the time being. “It’s especially important in the next few weeks to not let the populists take over platforms like X and to let serious offers, fact-based content, and a respectful approach to people take place there” said a Green Party spokesman to RND on request.
The Greens, however, are observing the development of X with concern. “Whether we will actively use the platform in the future, we will take a close look and weigh it continuously.” Social media are a fixed part of the Greens’ political communication and also played an important role in our Bundestag election campaign, the spokesman said. “The platforms enable us to have a direct dialogue, especially with younger people.” Green Party chancellor candidate Robert Habeck returned to X after a three-year absence in November.
X’s owner Musk had recently expressed a vote for the AfD, which has been partially classified as unconstitutional by the domestic intelligence service, and called Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier an “undemocratic tyrant”. The Evangelical Church has distanced itself from X, citing the false information and hate speech spread on the platform.