The chancellor first hinted at his intention of joining the video platform during a citizens’ dialogue in Dresden on February 29. The social media move is linked to his political campaign ahead of the European election on June 9 and crucial regional elections in the eastern German states of Brandenburg, Thuringia and Saxony in September.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is already very active on TikTok, where it is successfully courting younger voters.
Scholz’s decision also marks a new approach from the German government, which last year expressed security concerns over the Chinese-owned app and ordered its ministries’ staff to delete it on work-related devices.
Scholz’s TikTok account is, like his presence on other social media platforms, managed by the government’s press office, which said in a press release that it “is expanding its range of information for citizens, who are increasingly using TikTok to find out about and discuss politics.
“In addition to insights into the work of the Federal Chancellor and information on government policy, there will be space for comments, questions and suggestions,” the press office said.
