Merz on Online Hate: ‘It Harms the Mood of Society More Than It Harms Me Personally’
BERLIN — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has offered a measured reflection on the torrent of hateful comments directed at him on social media, telling an interviewer that while the abuse does not harm him personally, he worries about its corrosive effect on the broader social climate .
Speaking to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Merz acknowledged that he reads some of the comments posted about him and his government, but deliberately avoids engaging with the worst of it.
“It harms the mood of society more than it harms me personally. I deliberately avoid it, especially when it becomes really ugly. I don’t complain, I have to accept that this exists.” — Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany
Merz’s comments come as his approval rating has fallen to 18 percent, with 80 percent of Germans dissatisfied with his performance . The Chancellor has been the target of a relentless online campaign, much of it driven by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and by bots spreading disinformation .
📉 Merz vs. The Trolls: A Personal Toll?
While Merz says the personal impact is minimal, the Chancellor has been forced to defend himself against a growing wave of online conspiracy theories, including false claims he covers up child trafficking or that he is a “puppet of the US” — accusations that are not published in mainstream outlets but have become standard fare on Telegram and X (formerly Twitter).
His “I don’t complain” comment refers to the fact that he is a public figure and has no legal recourse to stop anonymous users from slandering him — unless they violate Germany’s strict hate speech laws (NetzDG), which impose fines on platforms that fail to remove clearly illegal content.
🧠 The Societal Harm: Digital Polarization
Merz is more concerned about the effect on German society than on his own reputation.
The “mood of society” he mentions includes the radicalization of individuals who consume unchecked hate speech on social media. The surge in online disinformation has coincided with rising attacks on politicians and local officials, particularly those from the Greens and the center-left SPD.
Moreover, the constant online harassment of Merz and other politicians — especially women and minority leaders — has deterred qualified people from entering public service . The effect is a “self-fulfilling prophecy” that only extremists are willing to run for office.
🛡️ What Merz Is Doing About It
The Chancellor’s “acceptance” does not mean inaction. His government has:
- Strengthened NetzDG enforcement, mandating that social media platforms report illegal hate speech to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA)
- Proposed a law to make it easier to identify and prosecute anonymous accounts that issue credible death threats
- Launched a public awareness campaign titled “Respect! No space for hate”
However, Merz cannot stop foreign disinformation campaigns or force platforms to remove hate speech that does not meet the legal definition of “incitement.”
🇪🇺 The EU Angle: The Digital Services Act
The European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which went into full effect in 2024, requires large platforms (X, TikTok, Meta) to remove illegal content or face fines of up to 6 percent of global revenue. The act also mandates that platforms publish transparency reports on their content moderation decisions.
Merz’s government has pushed the European Commission to enforce the DSA more aggressively against platforms that fail to curb anti-government hate speech, especially during elections .
📋 Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Merz’s Quote | “It harms the mood of society more than it harms me personally. I deliberately avoid it, especially when it gets really ugly. I don’t complain, I have to accept that this exists.” |
| His Personal Toll | Claims he is not personally harmed, but is aware of the abuse |
| Societal Harm | Erodes democratic discourse, leads to political violence, deters people from public office |
| What He’s Doing | Strengthened NetzDG enforcement; proposed tougher penalties for anonymous threats; public awareness campaigns |
| EU Context | Digital Services Act requires platforms to remove illegal hate speech or face fines |
| Political Context | Merz’s approval rating is 18%; his government faces rising far-right (AfD) opposition |
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