The description of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) as “Pinocchio” has no legal consequences for a Facebook user.
“Pinocchio” statement about Merz covered by “freedom of expression”
During Merz’s visit to Heilbronn in October, users commented on a local police Facebook post almost 400 times, the police and public prosecutor’s office said. In the case of 38 contributions, the public prosecutor’s office must check whether they are punishable – underneath the sentence “Pinocchio comes to HN”. It came from a pensioner from Heilbronn. According to the information, not all cases have been decided yet.
The Facebook post from the Heilbronn police headquarters was about a flight ban that was imposed in the wake of the Chancellor’s visit had been imposed.
The children’s book character Pinocchio first appeared in an 1883 novel by Italian author Carlo Collodi. In 1940, Disney made an animated film out of it. Pinocchio is known for his nose growing every time he lies.
Where does satire end – and where does insult begin?







