Olaf Scholz
Chancellor now also on TikTok
© Markus Wissmann/Shutterstock
Olaf Scholz is now also active on TikTok. At the start he is greeted with comments about kebab, but doesn’t want to dance.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (65, SPD) obviously wants to be more approachable, especially to young voters. Scholz can now also be officially found on TikTok, as government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit (51) announced on April 8th.
New offer for younger voters
The Federal Government’s Press and Information Office (BPA) is now “also present on TikTok,” explains Hebestreit. “With the new channel, the Federal Press Office is expanding its range of information for citizens, who are increasingly finding out and exchanging information about politics on TikTok.” It is aimed “particularly at younger users”.
In this way, the BPA wants to offer, among other things, insights into the Chancellor’s work as well as space for suggestions, questions and comments. In the latter will to the first post of the account @TeamBundeskanzler was also asked several times by users to make kebab cheaper.
Scholz himself doesn’t have a say in the first TikTok, but can be seen briefly in the comedic clip. On the competing service X The Chancellor is in the mood for jokes: “I don’t dance. I promise. #TikTok.” He is referring to the fact that the platform became known primarily for short clips in which users often showed themselves dancing and lip-syncing songs.
More presence on social media
At the end of February, Scholz had already spoken out in favor of the government being represented on TikTok in the future. The social media platform of the Chinese company ByteDance, which is popular with users, is considered controversial in politics due to data protection concerns.
The new Chancellor account may be intended as a step to stand up to the AfD on social media. According to media reports, it often has significantly more reach there than the other parties, including on TikTok. “ZDFheute” published in February corresponding figures from political consultant Johannes Hillje, former campaign manager for the Greens. “Other parties not only leave individual platforms like TikTok to the AfD, but also the political emotions in the country,” said the freelance consultant.