Elon Musk, a controversial billionaire and owner of platform X (formerly Twitter), is increasingly active in European politics. According to the left-wing Politico portal, his actions may have a crucial impact on the upcoming elections in Europe, including the presidential elections in Poland in May 2025. In the assessment of the portal, Musk promotes right-wing forces and uses its platform to form public opinion, which puts EU officials before a "monster problem".
Musk expressed his support for the German alternate organization for Germany (AfD) and announced an interview with group leader Alice Weidel, before the German parliamentary election scheduled for February 23. Additionally, the billionaire openly criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, calling him a "incompetent fool", and stated that only AfD could save Germany. In Britain, Musk attacked Prime Minister Keira Starmer, calling on King Charles III to dissolve parliament and announce early elections.
Concerns of EU officials
The actions of Musko are worrying in Brussels. According to Politico, the European Commission can usage the rules against Platform X Digital Services Act (DSA). This paper imposes a number of obligations on online platforms, including the moderation of content and the prevention of misinformation. In July 2024, the European Commission concluded that Platform X had breached the provisions of the DSA, in peculiar regarding rules on user verification, transparency of advertising and access to data.
Felix Kartte, elder advisor in the lobbying group Reset, stressed that the DSA gives regulators the chance to measure the X platform's activities and argue that the platform does not fulfil its responsibilities if it strengthens illegal hatred speech or undermines media pluralism. "If engineering genius Muska generates public risk, regulators can take steps against his platform," Kartte noted.
Freedom of speech versus EU censorship
Platform X, as 1 of the fewer global social networks, relies on the force to average content according to EU guidelines. Musk has repeatedly stressed his attachment to freedom of speech, which puts him in conflict with European Union policy. Politico recalls that the EC could usage the DSA rules to limit the platform's operation. However, "in the short term, playing in Trump's squad seems to be a bigger priority," the portal noted.
Elections in Poland and another European countries
Politico pointed out that Musk could influence not only elections in Germany, but besides another key votes in Europe. In addition to the May 2025 presidential elections in Poland, the billionaire may be curious in re-elections in Romania, parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic in October, or elections in Ireland in November. The portal stressed that electoral manipulation in Romania, where the first circular was cancelled, shows how delicate democratic processes are to external interference.
What's next?
As EU officials return to work after the vacation break, the question arises whether the European Commission will take further steps against Musk and his platform. Discussion of the limits of freedom of expression, the work of online platforms and interference in democratic processes will be crucial in the coming months.
Elon Musk's influence on European policy remains a subject of strong emotion, both among his supporters and critics. Will Musk become a symbol of the conflict for freedom of speech or an object of EU repression? Time will tell.
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Elon Musk threatens the eurocomuna for words of fact contrary to the ideology of euocrats
