Germans Want ‘Politician Insult’ Law Scrapped, Poll Finds

Nearly 5,000 criminal cases were launched last year against everyday citizens for criticizing politicians online. Germans have had enough. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz - ODD ANDERSEN / AFP.The German Criminal Code’s controversial Section 188, which prohibits social media users from insulting or even criticizing politicians online, has become a hot topic in Germany again after a Facebook user was fined for over €2,000 for calling Chancellor Merz a “liar.” Pollster INSA conducted a country-wide survey to discover what Germans actually think about the law, and found widespread opposition. According to the poll, a plurality (43%) of Germans want the complete...