German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has made his debut on TikTok, assuring followers that he won’t be showcasing any dance moves on the platform.
“I don’t dance. Promise,” Scholz declared during an appearance on X on Monday, following the release of his inaugural TikTok post by his social media team.
In the first video shared on his account, a member of Scholz’s team captures footage of her sneakers as she strides through the Chancellor’s office. The camera then shifts to focus on a briefcase before revealing a smiling Scholz seated at his desk.
Previously, the German government had refrained from utilizing the Chinese-owned platform due to concerns regarding data security. However, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit disclosed during a routine press briefing prior to Scholz’s visit to China that TikTok posts would be transmitted from a dedicated, isolated smartphone to uphold the data security standards of the German government.
Hebestreit emphasized the necessity for the German government to engage with younger demographics on platforms like TikTok, stating, “We have to ‘go where the citizens are and inform them there.'”
Despite this outreach effort, Hebestreit cautioned TikTok to adhere to European data protection regulations.
Scholz’s decision to embrace TikTok is part of a broader strategy to connect with a younger electorate ahead of the European Parliament elections scheduled for June 6-9.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
