SPD demands fairness in the election campaign: Who stops the fake news?

SPD demands fairness in the election campaign: Who stops the fake news?

In the middle of the heated debate about false information in the election campaign, the SPD and the Union have made mutual allegations. The SPD is now calling for a “fairness agreement” with all the parties represented in the Bundestag, except for the AfD to prevent targeted disinformation and hate speeches. Party leader Saskia Esken emphasized the urgency that "no fake news, no lies' fairy tales from all sides" and demanded a rethink, especially in the context of increasing use of artificial intelligence, such as Berlin Live reported.

political arguments escalate

The tensions between the parties increased after the CDU accused the SPD, incorrect claims not to check about alleged pension cuts. Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz rejected the allegations of the SPD as unfounded and criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) for his passive behavior in EU conferences, which he rejected with the words "Fritze Merz talks Tünkam"-a Low German word that means "stupid stuff". The CDU also felt misunderstood when the Baden-Württemberg CDU state chief Manuel Hagel accused the SPD of a dirty election campaign. In addition, an apology from the SPD member Bengt Bergt was due for sharing a misleading video, which further fueled the tensions, such as fre.de represent.

The SPD spokesman reported that there was already a "good exchange" with the Union about the proposed fairness agreement, which nourishes hope for a constructive dialogue. It remains to be seen how the parties will react to the increasing pressure to make the election campaigns clean and transparent. However, it will certainly be no less dramatic on the political parquet.