Members of the European Parliament dramatically refused a request to honor Charlie Kirk with a moment of silence in the Chamber on Thursday.
Kirk, 31, was killed on Wednesday when he addressed students at Utah Valley University and sent shock waves throughout the country.
Kirk was known for mobilizing young conservatives and appeared on university campuses with Turning Point USA. President Donald Trump called him “the best in America.”
At the EU, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the attack on Kirk when he was shot as “a deep wound for democracy.”
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Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, divides Maga Hats to the public on 1 May 2025, during a TPUSA event in California. (Michael Ho Wai Lee/Sopa Images/Lighttrocket via Getty Images)
Swedish Mep Charlie Weimers from the European Conservatives and Reformists group asked colleagues on Thursday to pause proceedings in the house and “declare that our right to freedom of expression cannot be extinguished.”
The wish of Weimer was supported by members of the German AfD and the Identity Liberties movement of France.
But the European Parliament President Roberta Mesola refused the request and said procedural rules for which tribute required to be submitted at the opening of a plenary session.
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Flags from the 27 countries of the EU are in the wind for the European Parliament 5 April 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. (Thierry Monasse/Getty images)
Since that session had already taken place on Monday, Mesola noted that a tribute could still be planned for October.
When Weimers gave up his remaining speaking time for a moment of silence, vice-president Katarina Barley cut him off, causing the office lists of right-wing legislators in the room.
“We discussed this, and you know that the president said no to a minute of silence,” Barley said as central and left -wing members.
Outside the Chamber, Hungarian Fidesz Mep András László accused the parliament of hypocrisy, pointing that the George Floyd had previously honored but Kirk refused.
The EU parliament refused a tribute request to Charlie Kirk and called procedural rules. (Getty)
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Some legislators also placed online: “I am Charlie” images, which showed the slogan of the Charlie Hebdo attack 2015.
Mesola defended the decision as consistent with the parliamentary procedure and offered participation.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and young children – who were the foundation of his life,” she said.
