Söder suspects a 'little envy' behind Social Media criticism

Over half a million people follow CSU chief Söder on social media. For a long time, he has given his followers much more than political statements. He sees this as an important task behind it.

, and Melissa Williams

2024 July 14 . 3:00 PM

2 min read

Markus Soeder pays no heed to criticism of his many activities on Social Media. He sees it as a... — Markus Soeder pays no heed to criticism of his many activities on Social Media. He sees it as a necessity to reach out to people who otherwise feel unaddressed by politics.

CSU-Chef Markus Söder defended his publicly active activities in social media and beyond against criticism. He does this in part because, as the Bavarian Minister-President stated in a summer interview on ZDF's "Berlin direkt" in Inning am Ammersee, "this Berlin is often just a bubble. That has nothing to do with the reality of the people."

In particular, many young people feel that they are no longer addressed by politics at all, Söder emphasized. "That's why it's important to communicate, to connect. And if we're being honest, it would be a mistake to leave that to others."

Söder has been very active in social media for many years. Recently, he celebrated reaching 500,000 followers and invited five followers with companions to a Döner dinner. His appearance on the NDR show "Inas Nacht," where alcohol is freely consumed and sung in a harbor tavern atmosphere, caused a stir. Previously, Söder used a trip to Stockholm for a "Dancing Queen" performance at the ABBA Museum. He has also been posting food images and sharing other aspects of his life outside of politics on the internet for years. This often sparks criticism.

Söder sees debate fueled by envy

"I always have the feeling that there's a bit of envy involved in the criticism," Söder said. "Others want to buy influencers for a lot of money to make advertising for themselves. We actually do everything in the party with party funds. And I admit, many ideas come from me." The goal is to maintain contact with the people and be a counterpoint to the "arrogant Berlin."

Markus Söder, the Chief of CSU, chose to conduct a summer interview on ZDF's "Berlin direkt" at Lake Ammersee in Bavaria, expressing his belief that Berlin often misunderstands the reality of the people. Söder emphasized the importance of connecting with young people, who feel disregarded by politics, through open communication. During his time on social media, Söder has faced criticism, but he remains active, using platforms to share his life outside of politics and engage with his 500,000 followers. This has included inviting fans to dinners and participating in lighthearted events like a "Dancing Queen" performance at the ABBA Museum. Despite criticism, Söder remains committed to maintaining contact with the people as a counterpoint to the perceived "arrogance" of Berlin.