11.09.2025 23:31
In the European Parliament, the request for a moment of silence for activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed in a assassination in the United States, made by far-right MEP Charlie Weimers was rejected. Some MEPs reacted to the decision by protesting with applause and banging on tables.
Chaos erupted in the European Parliament (EP) after a request for a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk, the American Republican conservative activist who was killed in an assassination, was rejected by an extreme right-wing member of parliament.
Charlie Weimers, a member of the extreme right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the EP, took the floor during a session and spoke highly of the late Kirk.
CALLED FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR CHARLIE KIRK
Weimers stated, "We must strongly condemn political violence and rhetoric that incites violence. Please bow your heads in respect and pray with me in memory of him," inviting fellow parliamentarians to a moment of silence for Kirk.
REQUEST REJECTED, CHAOS ENSUED
Following Weimers, EP Vice President Katarina Barley noted that they had previously discussed the moment of silence issue and that EP President Roberta Metsola had not allowed it.
In response, some parliamentarians reacted to Barley's statement by raising their voices and banging on their tables for about 20 seconds. Due to the ongoing protests, Barley made another statement reiterating that she would abide by President Metsola's decision, after which some parliamentarians welcomed this positively with applause.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Charlie Kirk, who had strong support for U.S. President Donald Trump, was shot and killed during an event he attended at Utah Valley University. Kirk was known not only for his influential role in Republican conservative circles in the U.S. but also for his strong support for Israel.
In his statement regarding the attack, Trump said, "The great and even legendary Charlie Kirk has died. There was no one in the United States who understood the heart of youth better than Charlie or had it. Charlie, we love you." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also stated that he was "praying" for the activist.