EU lawmakers urge Brussels to act over Musk interference
by AFP Staff Writers
Brussels, Belgium (AFP) Jan 16, 2025

Dozens of EU lawmakers on Thursday expressed "deep concern" over Elon Musk's interference in European politics as they called on Brussels to protect member states.

Tech billionaire Musk has drawn fire for a string of attacks on European leaders as well as his support for the far-right German AfD party, whose head he hosted on his X social media platform last week.

It has also sparked a flurry of letter-writing by EU lawmakers -- both in support and against Musk. The latest on Thursday took umbrage with his X posts on European politics.

"We are writing to express our deep concerns about Elon Musk's interference, particularly in the German election campaign and, previously, in Ireland," 38 MEPs wrote in the letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well respective EU tech and justice chiefs Henna Virkkunen and Michael McGrath.

Virkkunen is expected to take part in a headline debate next week in the European Parliament on the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA) and its enforcement -- amid concerns the commission is moving away from its previously bullish approach to social media platforms.

In Thursday's letter, the MEPs from parliamentary groups across the political spectrum noted that Musk "isn't just a foreign billionaire" but also a future member of the incoming US administration under president-elect Donald Trump.

The lawmakers, including Greens and liberals, accused Musk of artificially making his posts more visible to promote his personal views as well as "misleading content".

"The European Commission must examine the compliance of Musk's recent smear campaigns with the Digital Services Act," the lawmakers said.

The EU in December 2023 launched a DSA probe into X but has yet to make any formal decision on how the platform tackles illegal content and information manipulation.

A rival letter circulated chiefly among right-wing lawmakers is calling for Musk to be invited to address the parliament, while MEPs were also encouraged to sign a proposal nominating him for a Nobel Peace Prize.

raz/ec/bc

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