French Greens leader demands EU ban on X
Marine Tondelier, the secretary-general of The Ecologists, has urged for a ban on the social media platform X throughout the EU. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Marine Tondelier, the secretary-general of The Ecologists – Europe Ecology The Greens, has advocated for a ban on the social media platform X across the European Union, particularly during election periods, citing its influence on public opinion as a potential threat to democracy.
During her appearance on RTL’s Le Grand Jury program on Sunday, Tondelier voiced her concerns regarding the role social media plays in democratic processes. This comes amid rising tensions between X’s owner, Elon Musk, and EU officials who accuse the billionaire of interfering in European politics.
“It's not a question of freedom of expression; it's a question of shaping public opinion,” she stated, emphasizing the increasing concentration of media ownership both in France and worldwide. She condemned “ultra-rich individuals” for attempting to “buy power” after amassing significant wealth.
“We also need to take social media into account in this calculation now. It is part of the fabrication of opinion. It has a grip on reality. It impacts election results,” she remarked. “It's dangerous because it's a challenge to our democracies,” she suggested, recommending the prohibition of X during critical times such as elections.
In a post on X, she wrote, “The social network Twitter is not only annoying but also dangerous. The question of leaving it obviously arises, but it will not be enough: it must be banned.”
Tondelier also encouraged her colleagues from the left-wing New Popular Front coalition, which secured the most seats in the National Assembly during the recent legislative elections, to explore alternative networks.
“I'm going to leave, but what are the others doing? It will still have an impact on reality. It will still contribute to destabilizing the upcoming elections,” she expressed.
Elon Musk sparked major controversy in December by stating that “only the AfD can save Germany,” a comment that some EU officials regarded as unacceptable foreign interference. This assertion followed an op-ed in the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, where Musk defended the policies of the right-wing party. Recently, he interviewed Alice Weidel, the AfD’s candidate for chancellor in the forthcoming German election, on X.
Musk also had a contentious exchange with former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, whom he labeled “the tyrant of Europe” after Breton suggested the cancellation of Romania’s presidential elections, cautioning against potential foreign influence in the upcoming German elections.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot recently expressed unease over Musk’s influence, calling on the European Commission to adopt a stronger approach and utilize existing tools against suspected external meddling. Breton clarified that his comments aimed to ensure compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act.
In recent weeks, the tech mogul has also criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for allegedly neglecting the investigation into the Pakistani grooming gang issue and the mass rape of underage girls during his tenure as the head of the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service from 2008 to 2013. Furthermore, he urged Washington to intervene and “liberate” the British people from what he described as their “tyrannical government.”
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
During her appearance on RTL’s Le Grand Jury program on Sunday, Tondelier voiced her concerns regarding the role social media plays in democratic processes. This comes amid rising tensions between X’s owner, Elon Musk, and EU officials who accuse the billionaire of interfering in European politics.
“It's not a question of freedom of expression; it's a question of shaping public opinion,” she stated, emphasizing the increasing concentration of media ownership both in France and worldwide. She condemned “ultra-rich individuals” for attempting to “buy power” after amassing significant wealth.
“We also need to take social media into account in this calculation now. It is part of the fabrication of opinion. It has a grip on reality. It impacts election results,” she remarked. “It's dangerous because it's a challenge to our democracies,” she suggested, recommending the prohibition of X during critical times such as elections.
In a post on X, she wrote, “The social network Twitter is not only annoying but also dangerous. The question of leaving it obviously arises, but it will not be enough: it must be banned.”
Tondelier also encouraged her colleagues from the left-wing New Popular Front coalition, which secured the most seats in the National Assembly during the recent legislative elections, to explore alternative networks.
“I'm going to leave, but what are the others doing? It will still have an impact on reality. It will still contribute to destabilizing the upcoming elections,” she expressed.
Elon Musk sparked major controversy in December by stating that “only the AfD can save Germany,” a comment that some EU officials regarded as unacceptable foreign interference. This assertion followed an op-ed in the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, where Musk defended the policies of the right-wing party. Recently, he interviewed Alice Weidel, the AfD’s candidate for chancellor in the forthcoming German election, on X.
Musk also had a contentious exchange with former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, whom he labeled “the tyrant of Europe” after Breton suggested the cancellation of Romania’s presidential elections, cautioning against potential foreign influence in the upcoming German elections.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot recently expressed unease over Musk’s influence, calling on the European Commission to adopt a stronger approach and utilize existing tools against suspected external meddling. Breton clarified that his comments aimed to ensure compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act.
In recent weeks, the tech mogul has also criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for allegedly neglecting the investigation into the Pakistani grooming gang issue and the mass rape of underage girls during his tenure as the head of the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service from 2008 to 2013. Furthermore, he urged Washington to intervene and “liberate” the British people from what he described as their “tyrannical government.”
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
