STRASBOURG — European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Thursday rejected a bid by right-wing factions to hold a minute of silence for slain U.S. conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.
The initiative was first proposed by Charlie Weimers, an MEP from the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), as a symbolic measure “to declare that our right to freedom of speech cannot be extinguished,” according to an email chain with dozens of MEPs that was seen by POLITICO.
Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday when he was shot and killed. The 31-year-old was a mainstay of conservative politics and his killing triggered an outpouring of grief, including from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Right-wing and far-right groups asked by POLITICO confirmed they supported the initiative.
“His murder reminds us of the importance of safeguarding fundamental freedoms, even in democratic societies,” the chair of the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group, Alternative for Germany lawmaker René Aust, told POLITICO.
But Metsola rejected the proposal, with a spokesperson for the Parliament president telling POLITICO, “Minutes of silence are announced by the president at the opening of the plenary.” The opening of the plenary took place on Monday.
Instead, Weimers was “allowed a point of order on this, that’s what was agreed,” a press officer for his party, the Sweden Democrats, told POLITICO. He was permitted to make a statement on Kirk’s shooting before the voting session began.
Weimers began his statement, then tried to yield his remaining time for a silent tribute, but the Parliament vice president chairing the session, Katarina Barley from the S&D group, interrupted it — sparking an outcry from right-wing and far-right MEPs who banged their desk and shouted.
“We have discussed this, and you know the president said no to a minute of silence,” said Barley, in response to the lawmakers’ protests. Her statement was met by applause from centrist and left-wing political factions.
Center-right, liberals and left-wing groups avoided commenting on the proposal and argued it was the decision of the Parliament’s president. Kirk, a close ally of Trump, was a celebrity in MAGA world, known for mobilizing young voters with his debates on college campuses.
“Charlie was the best of America, and the monster who attacked him was attacking our whole country,” Trump said in a video statement after the shooting.
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