German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged voters not to be swayed by social media influencers, warning that those who seek power may manipulate public opinion to suit their interests.
Scholz made his statement during a New Year’s Eve address, cautioning that the future of Germany will be shaped by “reasonable and decent people” rather than extreme opinions. He also addressed concerns over disinformation on social media after recent attacks in Germany, saying it can divide and weaken society.
The comments come amid criticism from politicians for Elon Musk’s backing of far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Musk has been accused of trying to meddle in the election campaign with declarations supporting the anti-Muslim and anti-migration AfD. Scholz’s government is widely expected to lose to the CDU/CSU bloc, which may face challenges in coalition building if the AfD performs well.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/30/olaf-scholz-german-election-will-not-be-decided-by-social-media-owners