Political polarization over the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk made its way across the pond Thursday, inflaming tensions on the floor of the European Union Parliament.
Conservative Parliament member Charlie Weimers of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group introduced an initiative for a moment of silence on Thursday for Kirk, reports said. The moment of silence was rejected by Parliament President Roberta Metsola, who said that all business must be introduced at the beginning of agenda-setting, which took place Monday.
“His murder reminds us of the importance of safeguarding fundamental freedoms, even in democratic societies,” far-right Parliament member René Aust told Politico Europe following the dustup.
Instead, Weimers was given a moment to speak, a press officer for his party, the Sweden Democrats, told Politico.
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While Weimars began to talk, Parliament vice president Katarina Barley, who was chairing the session, interrupted.
“We have discussed this, and you know the president said no to a minute of silence,” she said.
Left-wing lawmakers applauded in support of Barley, while right-wing groups drowned out Barley with their own shouts and banging on desks.
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Kirk, a prominent right-wing influencer and ally of President Donald Trump, was shot in the neck and killed on Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University.
His death prompted a similar outburst on the floor of Congress in Washington on Wednesday when Republicans observed a moment of silence.
Rep. Lauren Boebert interrupted the display to demand a spoken prayer, a request that was met with groans and audible calls for gun control from Democrats in the chamber.
Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna then accused Democrats of being responsible for the shooting, shouting, “You fucking caused this!”
The gunman who opened fire at Kirk from a roof on the campus of Utah Valley University on Wednesday remained at large more than 24 hours after the deadly attack, authorities said.
A photo of a person of interest was released publicly by the FBI on Thursday, though no arrests have been made. Authorities believe the gunman to be of college age, but warned that the investigation is still in early stages.
Kirk, who was close with Trump and many Republican power players, was remembered fondly by many in the West Wing.
Following his death, Trump ordered flags be flown at half-mast for the rest of the week and announced he would be posthumously awarding Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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