Two of Germany’s most progressive parties, Die Linke (The Left) and Die Grünen (Greens), alongside the governing Social Democratic Party (SPD), have announced that they are leaving Elon Musk’s X platform, claiming it has ‘descended into chaos in recent years’.
The parties made their announcements on Monday, 4 May, publishing identical statements within minutes of each other—suggesting a coordinated move. ‘Political debates depend on exchange that reaches and informs people. X, by contrast, is increasingly promoting disinformation,’ the statements read. Each post also included the hashtag #WirVerlassenX (‘we are leaving X’), and similar messages were shared by leading politicians from all three parties.
Zahllose Accounts fluten X mit Posts mit fast identischen Textbausteinen.
— maxmü (@maxmueller13290) May 4, 2026
Ist das einer dieser hybriden Bot-Angriffe, vor denen immer gewarnt wird? 🙃#WirVerlassenX pic.twitter.com/2gXpdnPR6c
Since Elon Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022, the platform has undergone significant changes to its content moderation policies, with a stronger emphasis on free speech. Critics—primarily from liberal and progressive circles—have argued that this shift has contributed to an increase in misinformation, hate speech, and politically polarizing content.
From the outset, these changes triggered concern among journalists, NGOs, and academic communities, many of whom warned that previously restricted or marginalized voices would regain prominence, fundamentally reshaping the platform’s information environment.
Since 2022, a number of media outlets, NGOs, advocacy groups, and public figures have left the platform, including The Guardian and Dutch public broadcaster NOS. In 2024, 47 NGOs formed the so-called ‘eXit alliance’, jointly announcing their departure from X.
At the same time, the platform has not abandoned moderation entirely, but rather restructured it. One of the most notable changes is the introduction of Community Notes, a crowd-sourced system that allows users to add context to potentially misleading posts. Notes are only displayed publicly if contributors with differing viewpoints reach consensus, reflecting an attempt to reduce partisan bias and create a more pluralistic moderation model.
Concerns over X’s moderation practices, transparency, and compliance with EU regulations also played a role in the European Commission’s decision to fine the company under the Digital Services Act (DSA) in late 2025. However, the fine has been described as politically motivated by Republican lawmakers and figures within the Trump administration.
Die SPD, die Grünen und die Linke verlassen X.
— Christine Pulvah (@powder_chris) May 4, 2026
Alle mit dem gleichen Statement, jenes von der SPD sieht man nur nicht mehr.
„Unsere Demokratie“ verlässt den öffentlichen Diskurs und macht sich mal wieder maximal lächerlich. pic.twitter.com/p90WFtnCts
The decision by SPD, Die Linke, and the Greens to leave the platform triggered immediate backlash online. Critics accused the parties of ‘withdrawing from public discourse’ and ‘retreating into a cosy echo chamber’ where only ‘approved narratives survive’. Many users argued that by leaving X, these parties are ‘making a mockery of themselves’ and that abandoning the platform contradicts their stated commitment to democratic debate.
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