SPD, Greens, and The Left Exit X Together

In a joint move, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), the Greens, and the Left party announced their departure from the X platform. “X has sunk into chaos in recent years,” read the statements issued by the three parties and their parliamentary groups, with many phrases appearing in near-identical wording.

“Political debates thrive on dialogue, while X increasingly spreads disinformation,” the announcement continued. “That’s why we have decided, across party lines, not to invest our presence on the platform anymore,” the message noted under the hashtag #WirVerlassenX.

The microblogging service, which rose to prominence under the name Twitter, has faced mounting criticism since Elon Musk’s takeover in 2022. After the controversial tech billionaire bought the platform for about $44 billion, more and more corporations, politicians, and celebrities began to distance themselves from X.

The platform, under its new leadership, had allowed back a number of practices that had previously drawn widespread condemnation—such as homophobic remarks or Holocaust denial (TheColu.mn reported). As a result, many queer organizations had already left the network by 2023, including the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, the national Trans* federation, and Deutsche Aidshilfe.

According to a report by Table.Media, the Greens’ political director, Pegah Edalatian, initiated the latest action. She said that X has now become a “gateway for disinformation and an increasingly aggressive culture of debate.” However, individual party organizations and members are free to decide for themselves whether to stay on the platform.

There is, however, criticism of the move. Ulrich Schneider, chief executive of the German Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband (a major welfare group) and a member of The Left, said: “On the occasion of the #WirVerlassenX campaign, I urge all fellow advocates to stay and not surrender X to the far-right and haters without a fight.” He posted the message on X.