German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sent his first post on TikTok on Monday, joining a growing roster of Western politicians who have signed up on the social media platform to reach out to young people.
“I won’t dance. Promise. #TikTok,” Scholz posted on X.
Scholz’s first TikTok post, sent via his new account TeamBundeskanzler (Team Chancellor), is a video set to plodding bassoon music that shows a briefcase on a couch before panning over to the German leader sitting at his desk.
“The Federal Press Office is expanding its range of information for citizens who are increasingly using TikTok to find out about and discuss politics,” a statement from government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said.
Scholz’s TikTok presence is aimed at young people in particular, according to the statement.
By late Monday morning, Scholz’s account had 615 followers, still a far cry from the over 411,000 followers boasted by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is very active on the platform.
2024 is an election-heavy year in Germany. Polls are scheduled for the European Parliament in June and three state parliaments in the east in September, with the AfD hoping for major gains.
(With input from Reuters)
(Cover: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks before construction begins on the Northvolt factory in Schleswig-Holstein, Hedwigenkoog, Germany, March 25, 2024. /CFP)
