Söder uses social media: politics as entertainment or populism?

Söder uses social media: politics as entertainment or populism?

In Germany, people are facing a growing challenge: more and more people are living below the subsistence level. The Mirror reports that many households, particularly single parents and families with multiple children, are struggling with the rising cost of living and inadequate financial support. It turns out that socially disadvantaged groups in particular are under considerable pressure and are often dependent on government help.

What really counts as a subsistence level? The social benefits to which those affected are entitled, often known as citizen's benefit, do not always cover basic needs such as rent, food and healthcare. Many feel trapped in their everyday lives and see little opportunity to break this vicious circle.

Political communication in the digital age

NN he emphasizes that these new communication channels should not be left to radical forces.

He describes the AfD as very present on the internet and would like to counteract this dominance. With 70 percent political content and 30 percent personal topics, he tries to appeal to a broad audience, even if critics such as Green Party politician Ricarda Lang express concerns that his entertaining style may not always be serious enough for higher office.

The role of social media in the political landscape

Social media has revolutionized communication between politicians and citizens. A hybrid media system has emerged in which there is no longer a clear separation between journalists, citizens and politicians. Loud bpb In 2022, more Germans followed their news primarily online: 16% via YouTube, 14% via Facebook and 8% via Instagram. This development shows that parties are trying to reach younger groups of voters via digital channels in order to secure their share of the vote.

The use of social media in election campaigns is now an integral part of Germany. Negative messages often attract more reactions and increase visibility, creating a challenge for substantive discussion. But legal boundaries such as data protection laws restrict the scope of action.

While digital communication has become established as everyday business in all parties, it is important to also consider the trails of polarization and challenges such as hate speech. Social media is not a sure-fire success and requires intensive community management.

Overall, it is clear that both the population's growing financial challenges and politicians' new communication strategies are closely linked. Developments in the social media landscape will certainly continue to shape the political landscape in the coming years.