German Left Party and Greens quit X over disinformation concerns
Germany’s Left Party and the Greens have announced their withdrawal from X, formerly known as Twitter. The decision follows weeks of internal discussions, with the Greens’ federal manager leading the push to leave. However, not all members agree with the move, and some have chosen to remain on the platform. The withdrawal was coordinated over several weeks, primarily driven by Pegah Edalatian, the Greens’ federal manager. She argued that X had turned into a hub for disinformation and hostile debates, making meaningful political discussion nearly impossible. Both parties directed their followers to other platforms, such as Instagram and Bluesky, in their final posts on X.
Within the Left Party, the decision sparked criticism. Sören Pellmann, the leader of the party’s parliamentary group, warned that abandoning X would hand the platform over to far-right voices and those spreading false information. Ulrich Schneider, another Left Party member, echoed this concern, stating the move abandoned supporters and ceded ground to right-wing narratives. Niema Movassat, a Left Party MP, called the exit a mistake.
The Greens also faced dissent. Ricarda Lang, a Green Party lawmaker, decided to stay on X despite the official withdrawal. Janosch Dahmen, the party’s health policy spokesperson, questioned the decision, arguing that political debate should take place everywhere, not just on selected platforms.
The Left Party has not enforced a blanket ban on X for its members but is encouraging them to leave. Party leaders hope this will create a domino effect, pushing more politicians and organisations to follow suit. The withdrawal from X highlights deep divisions within both parties over digital engagement. While some see the move as necessary to combat disinformation, others believe it weakens political influence and abandons supporters. The long-term impact on political discourse and outreach remains to be seen.
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