The feud between Europe and the world's wealthiest man is heating up after several European leaders accused Elon Musk of interfering in national debates. The French president, the German chancellor, and the British and Spanish prime ministers have all denounced the American billionaire's outbursts on his social network X (formerly Twitter). Without naming him, French President Emmanuel Macron accused Musk of supporting "a new Reactionary International". "Ten years ago, if someone had told us that the owner of one of the biggest social networks in the world would support a new Reactionary International and intervene directly in elections, including in Germany, who would have imagined it," Macron said. The Spanish prime minister echoed the expression. "The Reactionary International, as President Macron said (...), led by the richest man on the planet, is openly attacking our institutions, inciting hatred and openly calling for support for the heirs of Nazism in Germany in the next elections," Pedro Sanchez stated. In recent weeks, Musk has made a series of shocking statements. The billionaire and close friend of Donald Trump called German Chancellor Olaf Scholz "an incompetent fool" after the attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market. The Tesla boss also attacked British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for negligence when he was a prosecutor in the 1990s in connection with the sexual exploitation of more than 1,500 underage girls by men of Pakistani origin. Berlin condemned the billionaire's "erratic statements," and London denounced "those who spread lies and misinformation." Musk's interference in the German election campaign is now taking another turn. On Thursday, he will broadcast live on X an interview with Alice Weidel, the co-president of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which he openly supports. It's no wonder then that the EU member states are paying attention to what the European Commission might have to say. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has called on the Commission to intervene "with the utmost firmness." France's foreign affairs chief has not ruled out a ban on X in Europe, similar to what happened in Brazil. "This is provided for in our laws," he said. The European Commission has been investigating the social network since 2023 under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). German MEP Damian Boeselager (Greens/EFA) questioned the Commission about Elon Musk's stance and the legality of these interventions. "If there is a violation of the DSA, I would like to see a rapid reaction. So, if very simply, Elon Musk increases his own reach and uses that increase to recommend a party, the AfD in Germany in the German elections if that is illegal under the DSA, then that would require swift action," said Boeselager. The Commission points out that freedom of expression is at the heart of European regulations. However, in this case, the EU can use another lever. "Through algorithms, it is possible to favour a certain type of narrative. You can favour a certain type of content, or you can try to prohibit another type of content," Thomas Regnier, spokesman for the European Commission, explained. "We have clearly indicated that such a livestream is not, in principle, prohibited by the DSA. Now, to what extent is it, or could it be amplified? That's what the Commission will be looking into," he added. The Commission, the German regulator, and the large digital platforms, including X, are scheduled to meet on 24 January to prevent interference during the German election. — Euronews
