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Lyon's Green Mayor, Grégory Doucet, Quits X: A Stand for Democracy?
Grégory Doucet, the Green mayor of Lyon, France, made headlines this week with his dramatic exit from Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter). His departure, announced on January 20th, wasn't a quiet fade-out; it was a public statement against what he sees as the platform's descent into unchecked hate speech and the erosion of democratic discourse. His decision follows a growing trend of French politicians and institutions abandoning X, fueled by concerns over Musk's leadership and the platform's algorithm.
The "Tipping Point" for Democracy
Doucet framed his resignation as a response to the "daily violence" and "unpunished calls for hatred" prevalent on X. He argues that Musk's acquisition has transformed the platform into a space ruled by "the law of the strongest," where algorithms favor the most aggressive communities. The mayor believes X, once envisioned as a tool for direct citizen dialogue, has become an "instrument of destabilization," particularly concerning with the impending return of Donald Trump to the White House. This, he declared, represents a "tipping point for our democracies."
Beyond X: A Call for EU Regulation
Doucet's account remains active but inactive to prevent unauthorized use. The City of Lyon's X account is also on hold, except for emergencies. He intends to join Bluesky, a purportedly less toxic alternative. His actions highlight a wider movement questioning X's role in public discourse. He’s urging the European Union to enact legislation safeguarding freedom of expression and protecting the right to information on social media platforms, expressing further concern about recent changes at Meta and their implications for Facebook and Instagram.
Other Notable Achievements of Mayor Doucet
Beyond his stance on social media, Doucet is known for other initiatives in Lyon. The implementation of a 30 km/h speed limit across most of the city in March 2022 resulted in a significant 35 percent reduction in road accidents and a 39 percent decrease in serious accidents within two years. While average speeds remain slightly above the limit, further measures, including more speed cameras, are planned.
Conclusion: A Symbolic Gesture?
Doucet's departure from X is more than a personal decision; it's a symbolic act representing a larger concern about the future of online public discourse and the influence of social media on democracy. His call for EU regulation underscores the need for a stronger framework governing online platforms and protecting users from harmful content. Whether this action will spur meaningful change remains to be seen, but it's certainly sparked a conversation.
