The Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (BPB), Germany’s Federal Agency for Civic Education, has drawn sharp criticism for its recent decision to abandon the platform X (formerly Twitter), a move deemed counterproductive by leading figures within the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Christina Stumpp, deputy general secretary of the CDU and chair of the BPB’s advisory board, voiced her concerns to Politico, questioning the rationale behind severing ties with a channel possessing a substantial following of over 50,000.
Stumpp argued that the BPB’s core mandate is to disseminate civic education across diverse demographics and reach a broad audience. She characterized the decision as “incomprehensible” particularly considering the agency’s continued presence on smaller, niche platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky. Maintaining a strong presence on established platforms, even those attracting “counterwinds” is crucial for democratic institutions, she added.
The BPB’s abrupt withdrawal, announced via a post on the very platform it is leaving, has sparked debate about the agency’s commitment to engaging in potentially uncomfortable public discourse. Critics suggest the move reflects a retreat into echo chambers, inadvertently exacerbating societal fragmentation – a consequence the BPB’s stated mission aims to actively combat.
Stumpp has vowed to bring the decision to a re-evaluation within the BPB’s advisory board, emphasizing the imperative for democratic entities to maintain visibility and engagement across all public spheres, regardless of the potential for disagreement or challenge. The incident underscores a broader tension within German political institutions regarding the balance between protecting institutional integrity and actively participating in the increasingly complex landscape of online public discourse.
