Source: European Parliament
24.10.2025
Priority question for written answer P-004203/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Christine Anderson (ESN)
On 23 October 2025, a search was carried out on the home of media theorist Professor Norbert Bolz in Berlin. This search was triggered as a result of a post made by Bolz on X (formerly Twitter) in 2024, in which he quoted the phrase ‘Deutschland, erwache!’ (‘Germany, awake!’), intended satirically. The Berlin Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the suspected use of symbols of unconstitutional organisations (Section 86a of the German Criminal Code).
According to media reports, the complaint against Bolz was lodged via the Hessen-based complaints body Hessen gegen Hetze (‘Hessen against hate’), a state-run platform that also has links to EU anti-hate and anti-disinformation programmes as well as to the Digital Services Act (DSA).
This case raises questions about where to draw the line between legitimate expression of opinion and state censorship.
- 1.Does the Commission monitor whether national or EU-backed complaints bodies give rise to criminal proceedings under the DSA against citizens for legitimate expressions of opinion?
- 2.What measures is the Commission taking to ensure no politically-motivated censorship or intimidation of critical voices results from the DSA and its ‘trusted flaggers’?
- 3.Does the Commission intend to assess whether cooperating with Hessen gegen Hetze and other such bodies is compatible with the fundamental right to freedom of expression (Article 11 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights)?
Submitted: 24.10.2025