MEPs Divide Over Elon Musk's Role in EU Affairs
Lawmakers debate Musk’s influence, from invitations to Brussels to a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have launched several initiatives addressing Elon Musk’s activities in Europe, with opinions ranging from admiration to concern.
The tech billionaire, now deeply involved in political and digital debates, has become a focal point for discussions on democracy, digital governance, and freedom of speech.
This week, Greek MEP Emmanouil Fragkos, from the European Conservatives and Reformists group, circulated a letter calling for Musk to address a plenary session of the European Parliament.
The letter, addressed to Parliament President Roberta Metsola, garnered 43 signatures, including from members of the right-wing European People's Party and Socialist representatives.
The invitation described Musk as a 'trailblazer in the digital revolution' and suggested that his insights could contribute to Europe’s competitiveness and productivity.
Meanwhile, Hana Jalloul Muro, an MEP from the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group and vice-chair of the foreign affairs committee, drafted a separate letter to European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
Her letter, signed by 45 lawmakers primarily from left-leaning groups, highlighted concerns over the influence of digital platforms like Musk's X (formerly Twitter) on elections.
It urged the EU to enhance its sanctions framework and develop new tools to combat potential foreign interference facilitated by such platforms.
In a separate initiative, Slovenian MEP Branko Grims, a member of the centre-right EPP, has gone a step further by nominating Musk for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
Grims praised Musk’s efforts to 'preserve freedom of speech' and for removing 'political censorship' on X, linking these actions to the promotion of global peace.
The nomination is still in the signature collection phase.
Adding to the debate, the S&D group has proposed a plenary discussion under the title 'Elon Musk and the abuse of social media – threats to European democracy.' The proposal will be reviewed by the Conference of Presidents, the Parliament’s leadership body, ahead of next week’s plenary session.
Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission vice-president responsible for regulating Musk’s X, is expected to participate in the discussions.
These initiatives highlight the growing divide among European lawmakers over Musk’s influence in the EU. While some see him as a champion of free speech and innovation, others view his platform’s role in shaping public opinion and potentially interfering in elections as a serious threat to democracy.
The tech billionaire, now deeply involved in political and digital debates, has become a focal point for discussions on democracy, digital governance, and freedom of speech.
This week, Greek MEP Emmanouil Fragkos, from the European Conservatives and Reformists group, circulated a letter calling for Musk to address a plenary session of the European Parliament.
The letter, addressed to Parliament President Roberta Metsola, garnered 43 signatures, including from members of the right-wing European People's Party and Socialist representatives.
The invitation described Musk as a 'trailblazer in the digital revolution' and suggested that his insights could contribute to Europe’s competitiveness and productivity.
Meanwhile, Hana Jalloul Muro, an MEP from the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group and vice-chair of the foreign affairs committee, drafted a separate letter to European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
Her letter, signed by 45 lawmakers primarily from left-leaning groups, highlighted concerns over the influence of digital platforms like Musk's X (formerly Twitter) on elections.
It urged the EU to enhance its sanctions framework and develop new tools to combat potential foreign interference facilitated by such platforms.
In a separate initiative, Slovenian MEP Branko Grims, a member of the centre-right EPP, has gone a step further by nominating Musk for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
Grims praised Musk’s efforts to 'preserve freedom of speech' and for removing 'political censorship' on X, linking these actions to the promotion of global peace.
The nomination is still in the signature collection phase.
Adding to the debate, the S&D group has proposed a plenary discussion under the title 'Elon Musk and the abuse of social media – threats to European democracy.' The proposal will be reviewed by the Conference of Presidents, the Parliament’s leadership body, ahead of next week’s plenary session.
Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission vice-president responsible for regulating Musk’s X, is expected to participate in the discussions.
These initiatives highlight the growing divide among European lawmakers over Musk’s influence in the EU. While some see him as a champion of free speech and innovation, others view his platform’s role in shaping public opinion and potentially interfering in elections as a serious threat to democracy.
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