The murder of Charlie Kirk, a prominent American conservative activist and close ally of former US President Donald Trump, has sparked deep divisions and heated debates within the European Parliament. Kirk was fatally shot on September 9, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. His assassination not only reverberated across the United States but also deeply impacted European political circles, exposing sharp ideological rifts among Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) regarding how to respond to his death.
Background of Charlie Kirk’s Murder
Charlie Kirk, aged 31, was a well-known conservative influencer and founder of Turning Point USA, an organization promoting conservative values among youth. The shooting, described by authorities as a targeted political assassination, occurred during one of his campus talks. Kirk was shot in the neck and died shortly after at a hospital. The suspect remains at large, and investigations suggest the shooting was executed by a lone sniper likely from a rooftop vantage point. In the US, former President Donald Trump called Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom” and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast until September 14 in his honor.
European Leaders’ Reactions and Condolences
Following the assassination, several European leaders issued statements of shock and condolence. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni labeled the killing “shocking” and called it a “deep wound for democracy and for all who believe in freedom.” France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “deep emotion” following the murder, while European Parliament President Roberta Metsola voiced being “shocked at the absolutely horrific assassination.” These statements reflected a general consensus among many European leaders condemning political violence and affirming the importance of democratic values and freedom of speech.
Controversy in the European Parliament
However, the European Parliament became a focal point of controversy over how to officially commemorate Kirk’s death. On September 11, when Charlie Weimers, an MEP from the Sweden Democrats party, proposed a minute of silence in Kirk’s memory during a plenary session, the request was denied by Parliamentary President Metsola. The denial was upheld despite protests from right-wing and conservative MEPs who viewed the gesture as a necessary sign of respect transcending political divides.
The refusal to hold a minute of silence sparked loud and contentious exchanges in the Parliament chamber. Left-wing MEPs argued that such tributes should not be part of institutional proceedings, and some jeered the proposal, while conservative and patriot groups vocally opposed the decision, accusing the left of political bias and unwillingness to unite even in grief. The verbal confrontation disrupted the session, requiring the intervention of parliamentary officials to restore order. This incident highlighted the widening ideological chasm within the European Parliament, where even symbolic acts of remembrance have become subjects of partisan conflict.
Far-Right Reactions and Political Implications
Among the European right-wing and far-right factions, Kirk’s assassination has been interpreted as an attack by left-wing forces amid escalating political violence. Marion Maréchal, a far-right French MEP and vice-president of the European Conservatives and Reformists group, linked the killing to a broader radical left attempt to foment civil strife and political violence in Europe, similar to tensions seen in the US. Prominent right-wing figures like Nigel Farage expressed sorrow over Kirk’s death while cautioning about the limits of free speech and condemning political violence.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán characterized the killing as a consequence of an “international hate campaign” against Kirk and his conservative message. Supporters and sympathizers across Europe’s right also framed Kirk as a fighter for freedom of speech and conservative values, calling for unity against what they see as threats from radical left-wing activism.
Broader European Political Context
Kirk’s influence and the controversy following his death underscore the deep political polarization in Europe, mirroring trends in the United States. His conservative message, which resonated with many young Europeans, especially in Britain and other parts of the continent, has spotlighted the growing prominence of right-wing ideological groups in European politics. The debate over how to officially recognize Kirk’s death symbolized the continuing battles over freedom of speech, political violence, and the ideological direction of both Europe and the West overall.
The Charlie Kirk murder has become a flashpoint illustrating the political and ideological divisions within the European Parliament and across Europe more broadly. While many European leaders condemned the assassination and expressed sorrow, the refusal of the European Parliament to hold a minute of silence ignited fierce partisan clashes. Right-wing and far-right factions condemned what they saw as left-wing hostility and attempts to politicize the tragedy, while left-wing members upheld their opposition to formal parliamentary tributes. This division reflects an ongoing struggle over political violence, free speech, and the future of conservative activism in Europe.
AML Editor’s article was originally published in euractiv on Sep 11, 2025