( Translation of https://www.reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2025-01-07/stop-musks-democracy-threat-time-to-enforce-the-dsa-against-platform-manipulation-to-safeguard-fair-elections )
The Renew Europe Group of the European Parliament strongly condemns Elon Musk's increasing interference in European politics through his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter). We are deeply concerned about the impact of such actions on the democratic process and the integrity of political discourse in Europe.
In light of recent developments, the Renew Europe Group will be calling for an urgent debate in the plenary of the European Parliament on this issue, demanding clear answers from the European Commission on the implementation of EU legislation and how platforms like X are being used to influence political outcomes and undermine democratic values within the European Union.
Valerie Hayer, President of Renew Europe, said:
‘Europe cannot be naïve or blind to Mr Musk's determination to use X to interfere in the democratic affairs of EU member states, supporting the causes of the far right. The people of Europe must decide who represents them, not the richest man in the world. We have a responsibility to apply European law and defend our democracies against foreign interference.’
Mr Musk's actions, whether algorithmic manipulation, dissemination of disinformation or targeted political messages, pose a serious threat to European democracy.
In this context, we call on the European Commission to urgently implement the Digital Services Regulation (DSA) and ensure that all online platforms, including X, are held accountable for their role in shaping political narratives and disseminating harmful content. The Digital Services Regulation provides the necessary tools to regulate platforms and protect users from the misuse of their services for political purposes. It is imperative that the Commission acts quickly to ensure that these safeguards are fully implemented.
Sandro Gozi, Renew Europe's representative on the DSA working group in the European Parliament, said:
‘It is unacceptable that the European Commission limits itself to vague statements about Elon Musk's freedom of expression while failing to act against the clear violations of the Digital Services Regulation by Platform X. A billionaire from Texas using his platform to interfere in the European elections is intolerable.’
While respecting freedom of expression, the Renew Europe Group remains committed to defending democratic principles, upholding the rule of law and ensuring that Europe's political landscape remains free from outside interference. We will continue to promote accountability and transparency in the digital space and urge all European institutions to take decisive action at this critical time.
