European Parliament MEPs Push for Resolution Against Political Violence

Lawmakers in the European Parliament are advocating for a resolution to condemn political violence following the recent murders of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk and Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska. A total of 84 right-wing Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have signed a proposal that could be voted on during the parliamentary session scheduled for October 6-9, 2023.

The violent deaths of Kirk, who was shot in Utah on September 10, and Zarutska, who was stabbed in North Carolina in August, have drawn significant attention and condemnation. Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, expressed his dismay over the attacks, which have sparked discussions across Europe.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described Kirk’s murder as “shocking” and a “deep wound for democracy.” Similarly, Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, stated that she was “shocked at the absolutely horrific assassination” of Kirk. The sentiments reflect a growing concern regarding the rise of political violence and its implications for democratic societies.

A notable incident occurred during a plenary session in Strasbourg last Thursday when a member of the right-wing Sweden Democrats party requested a minute’s silence in memory of Kirk. This request was rejected by Katarina Barley, a Socialist MEP and vice-president of the Parliament. In light of these events, some right-wing lawmakers are now pushing for an official resolution that would express solidarity with the victims’ families and advocate for “zero tolerance” towards political and extremist violence.

The resolution has been spearheaded by two members of the far-right group Patriots for Europe (PfE), Susanna Ceccardi and Paolo BorchiaDominik Tarczynski from Poland, Carlo Fidanza from Italy, and Charlie Weimers from Sweden.

The next steps involve a review of the resolution by the office of President Roberta Metsola. Subsequently, the Conference of Presidents, which comprises the leaders of the various political groups within the Parliament, will determine if the resolution will be included in the agenda for the upcoming plenary session. Other political groups have been solicited for their positions regarding the proposed resolution, highlighting the urgency and significance of addressing political violence in Europe.