Members of the European Parliament (EP) refused a request on Thursday to honor slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk with a moment of silence.
The stunning snub has drawn sharp criticism from right-leaning lawmakers.
Kirk, 31, was assassinated on Wednesday while speaking to students at Utah Valley University.
The murder of the young father of two has sent shockwaves across the U.S. and beyond.
Known for mobilizing young conservatives through Turning Point USA, Kirk was praised by President Donald Trump as “the best of America.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the assassination as “a deep wound for democracy.”
Swedish MEP Charlie Weimers of the European Conservatives and Reformists group urged colleagues to pause proceedings to honor Kirk.
Weimers sought to affirm that “our right to freedom of speech cannot be extinguished.”
The request was supported by German AfD members and France’s Identity Liberties movement.
However, left-wing European Parliament President Roberta Metsola denied the motion.
Metsola cited procedural rules that require tributes to be submitted at the opening of a plenary session.
Instead, Metsola said a tribute should be requested for October.
When Weimers attempted to yield his speaking time for silence, Vice President Katarina Barley cut him off.
Her move sparked loud desk-banging protests from conservative lawmakers.
Meanwhile, centrist and left-wing members applauded the denial.
“We have discussed this, and you know the president said no to a minute of silence,” Barley said.
Outside the chamber, Hungarian Fidesz MEP András László accused Parliament of hypocrisy.
László noted that the EU Parliament had previously honored George Floyd but refused to honor Kirk.
On social media, some lawmakers responded by posting “I am Charlie” images.
The phrase echoes the slogan from the 2015 Charlie Hebdo terror attack.
Metsola defended the decision as consistent with parliamentary rules but offered condolences:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and young children, who were the bedrock of his life.”
The clash underscores deep political divisions within Europe over free speech and the treatment of conservative voices.
For Kirk’s supporters, the refusal to honor him highlighted what they see as a double standard, one that silences conservatives while elevating left-wing causes.
READ MORE – FBI Releases Photos of Suspected Charlie Kirk Assassin
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