Brussels, 9 August 2024
In light of the recent political violence witnessed on the island of Ireland, and the repeated calls by Elon Musk for civil war in Europe, Renew Europe has written to Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age and Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services.
In the letter, Renew Europe President Valérie Hayer and First Vice President Billy Kelleher, call for stronger against to be considered against the social media platform ‘X’, to ensure Elon Musk takes responsibility for his actions and desists from promoting false information and calling for ‘civil war’ in Europe. The letter calls for the immediate implementation of the EU’s Digital Services Act.
Renew Europe will request a debate on political extremism and social media platforms, when the Parliament returns in September.
Valérie Hayer, President of Renew Europe, said:
“We have asked for an urgent parliamentary debate on political extremism and social media platforms and we repeat our demand for EU law to be fully implemented. Elon Musk must clean up his act and take moral and legal responsibility for his actions and those of his platform. If Musk cannot be compelled by ethics, the law must step in. Political violence has no place in democratic societies and we all have a duty to combat it.”
Billy Kelleher MEP, First Vice President of Renew Europe, said:
“Mr Musk and X must become part of the solution to political extremism instead of propagators of it. We will not tolerate that Europe’s way of life is put under threat by Mr Musk calling for civil war on Europe’s streets. EU law must be applied and we demand restraint from Mr Musk.”
We trust the Commission in its serious consideration and work over the issue that has lasted for months. We’re particularly proud of our commissioners in charge who continuously make sure that the DSA is well implemented and respected. Now it is on Elon Musk to pay respect to our rules as much as our family does.
Source – Renew Europe