France calls on the EU to punish Musk for interfering in politics

France has called on the European Union to become more proactive in using legislation to protect against external interference. This happened after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday, January 8, criticized American billionaire Elon Musk for his influence on European politics through the social network X (formerly Twitter).

This was reported by Reuters on Wednesday, January 8.

Diplomatic challenges and concerns

European leaders are concerned about Musk's publications that criticize elected officials and cause political tension. Musk's support for the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is classified by German security services as a right-wing extremist, has become particularly worrisome. This comes as Germany prepares for parliamentary elections in February 2024. 

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that the EU should either strictly enforce existing laws or return to member states the right to defend their interests on their own.

The EU's response to the challenge

Meanwhile, the European Commission is reacting with restraint to avoid diplomatic tensions with the United States. Elon Musk has been linked to Donald Trump, who is preparing to return to power in January. Musk has repeatedly spoken out in support of Trump, and has donated significant amounts of money to promote the Republican Party.

European Commissioner for Democracy and Justice, Michael McGrath, said that the Digital Services Act (DSA) provides sufficient tools to combat disinformation and interference without violating freedom of speech. The Commission has been investigating the compliance of Platform X with European standards for over a year.

Leaders' reaction

Musk's comments also drew sharp criticism in Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concerns about the influence of social media on elections, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for not responding to provocations, saying: "Don't feed the troll". 

The DSA Board, which includes representatives from all 27 EU countries, is about to discuss possible measures on January 24. The discussion will center on how platforms like X can strike a balance between protecting freedom of speech and mitigating the risks of hate speech and interference in democratic processes.

As a reminder, Musk is an ardent admirer of US President-elect Donald Trump. The media reported that Musk had allegedly moved into a cottage on Trump's estate.

Meanwhile, Trump recently answered whether Elon Musk has any political influence.