European far-right leaders have blamed left-wing rhetoric for the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative US activist, who was killed while addressing students at Utah Valley University. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán claimed Kirk's death was 'the result of the international hate campaign waged by the progressive-liberal left'.
French National Rally leader Jordan Bardella denounced the 'dehumanising rhetoric of the left and its intolerance', which he said fuelled political violence. In Germany, Alice Weidel of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) called Kirk 'a fighter for freedom of speech' who was 'shot by a fanatic who hates our way of life and discussion'.
Geert Wilders, the Dutch far-right leader, reposted a comment by Kirk calling Islam 'the sword the left is using to slit the throat of America', adding that Kirk was '100% right here'. Spanish Vox leader Santiago Abascal echoed accusations that left-wingers were justifying the murder because of Kirk's 'horrible ideas'.
In the European Parliament, far-right MEPs demanded a minute's silence for Kirk, but President Roberta Metsola denied the request on procedural grounds. The refusal sparked protests, with MEPs banging on desks. Sarah Knafo of France's Reconquête party said the Europe of Sovereign Nations group had nominated Kirk for the Sakharov prize.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the murder 'a sign of the utter desperation and cowardice of those who could not defeat him in argument', adding that Kirk was killed 'for saying things that used to be simple common sense'. Italy's Matteo Salvini offered more restrained tributes.
US police continued their manhunt for the sniper, but no suspect has been identified and the shooter's motives remain unknown. The murder has sent shockwaves across the American political spectrum.
