Spanish PM accuses Musk of fueling far‑right movements
The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, has accused Elon Musk of spearheading a reactionary international movement that "openly attacks our institutions and stirs up hatred".
On Wednesday, Sanchez criticized the reactionary far-right international movement, condemning it as being led, in this instance, by the world's wealthiest individual. He accused the movement of openly attacking institutions, inciting hatred, and supporting neo-Nazi successors in Germany's upcoming elections.
This statement was made during an event commemorating the 50th anniversary of dictator Francisco Franco's death, which marked the beginning of democratic changes in Spain.
On Tuesday, the Spanish government's spokeswoman, Pilar Alegria, commented on Musk's disputes with European leaders, emphasising that online platforms should operate neutrally and without interference. His actions, including support for Germany's AfD, have been condemned by major political parties, accusing him of attempting to influence election outcomes. Spain and other European countries demand neutrality from Musk's platform, stressing the need for compliance with EU regulations.
Elon Musk on Spain
On Sunday, Musk mentioned Spain by sharing a post on the X platform that referred to information from "La Razon", claiming that 92% of those convicted of rape in Catalonia are foreigners. However, they constitute only 17% of the region's population. Musk commented with the word "Wow". This statement prompted a response from the head of the Catalan government, Salvador Illa, who emphasised that he would not allow the name of Catalonia to be used to spread hate speech.
The debate surrounding Musk also encompasses challenges related to disinformation and influence on democratic processes, as confirmed by Edward Luce in his commentary. The European Union is considering measures to counter these threats.
Despite lacking formal political power, Musk gained influence with Donald Trump's victory in the presidential elections, raising questions about the future stability of democracy in Europe.
