Berlin's Political Landscape Questions the Future of Musk's X Platform

Sun 2nd Feb, 2025

In the evolving sphere of political communication, social media platforms have become essential tools for engagement and information dissemination. However, the recent actions and management of X, formerly known as Twitter, under Elon Musk's ownership, have prompted scrutiny from various political factions within Berlin.

A recent survey conducted by the Deutsche Presse-Agentur revealed that six different senatorial departments in Berlin have ceased their activities on X in light of concerns surrounding the platform's direction and content management. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) made a decisive move in May 2024, opting to withdraw from X, a decision that appears to be gaining traction among other political groups.

The Left Party and its parliamentary faction are currently reassessing their presence on X, while the Green Party has also expressed reservations. Conversely, parties such as the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Interior Administration continue to actively utilize X, largely due to its extensive reach and audience engagement. The Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has been supported by Musk during recent election campaigns, reports a growing user base on the platform.

According to a spokesperson from the Senate's Department of Transport, the decision to withdraw from X was made due to the platform's misalignment with the values of democratic discourse as understood by the department. The Department of Construction has also halted its presence on X since December, citing a troubling trend of increasingly hostile debates and the spread of misinformation.

While the Senate Department for Culture remains active on X, it has not posted any content since August 2024. This decision was influenced by the overwhelming amount of misinformation and the unpredictable nature of the platform's algorithm, which appears to favor certain political narratives. Additionally, the Departments of Economy, Social Affairs, and Health have also ceased their activities on X, while the Justice Department has opted for other platforms, engaging only on Instagram.

The Interior Administration, however, maintains its commitment to X, emphasizing the platform's value in providing timely and transparent information on security issues and public events. They argue that X continues to facilitate wide-reaching communication with the public.

The Left Party and its faction are still utilizing X to promptly inform interested parties about their initiatives. However, they acknowledge the difficulties posed by the rise of misinformation and the presence of distorting bots, which complicate genuine discourse. A representative noted that the relevance of journalism on the platform is diminishing, necessitating a careful evaluation of their ongoing engagement.

The Green Party has articulated its strategy of reaching audiences wherever they are most engaged. However, they observe that X is increasingly failing to serve this purpose, as its business model incentivizes polarizing content and allows harmful narratives to proliferate unchecked. Concerns have also been raised regarding Musk's vocal support for extreme right positions.

Despite these challenges, many journalists and opinion leaders remain accessible through X, which may affect future engagement decisions. The SPD recently reaffirmed its commitment to the platform during a strategic meeting, while the CDU and Free Democratic Party (FDP) have no plans to withdraw from X, citing the importance of immediate communication capabilities.

The AfD continues to view X as a critical platform, reporting a significant rise in user engagement. A spokesperson emphasized their commitment to freedom of speech, arguing that traditional media does not provide a sufficiently balanced narrative.

As Berlin's political landscape navigates the complexities of social media engagement, various parties are exploring alternative platforms such as Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon to complement their communication strategies. The SPD is participating in Threads, while the Left Party has established accounts across these platforms, with active engagement on Threads currently. Additionally, the Senate Chancellery and two senatorial departments recently joined Bluesky.

As the dynamics of digital communication continue to evolve, political entities in Berlin are closely monitoring developments across social media platforms to adapt their engagement strategies accordingly.


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