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Before the deadly shooting, few leaders of the European resurgent far right had mentioned the US activist. After the incident, however, the propaganda potential of his killing has escaped none of them.

The Incident

The conservative figure, an influential voice in the former president’s political base, was hit in the neck while speaking to a crowd in the US state on September 10. Tyler Robinson faces accusations, though the reasons behind the act remain unclear.

Seizing the Narrative

That has not stopped, right-wing leaders throughout Europe using the tragedy to attack progressive movements, presenting Kirk’s death as an inevitable result of what they portray a long-running smear effort designed to silencing them.

“We must stop the hate-mongering left!” stated Viktor Orbán. Spain’s Vox leader went further: “Censorship is not enough for them – so they resort to violence.”

A French far-right representative argued that inflammatory language from opponents … encourages political violence”. Alice Weidel remarked Kirk had been shot by “an extremist who opposes traditional values”.

Building a Symbol

The objective, analysts note, is to raise Kirk to the role of a symbol for the conservative cause, and a victim of liberal-progressive persecution – at the same time lending more credibility to the right’s positions, and inflicting damage on the left.

“Martyrdom is a social operation to transform a morally wrong crime into a message,” commented a historian. “In this case, the movement is constructing a plot of targeting, with a single villain: the left.”

Several on Europe’s far right were surprisingly candid about making use of the killing. “We should not be ashamed in using Kirk’s death – or turning it to our advantage,” urged a strategist close to the French right-wing circle.

Mobilising the Base

During a far-right gathering organized by a Spanish party in the capital, a stirring video tribute to the activist impressed the crowd. Amid applause, the leader told attendees that the left “do not kill us for being fascists – they call us fascists in order to kill us”.

Portugal’s Chega leader said the killing showed that “debate” had given way to “hatred, targeting and killing”. Giorgia Meloni told the crowd, stating that his “death … shows once again where the aggression and intolerance are on … Our fight tirelessly for liberty.”

Across the channel, a large protest led by Tommy Robinson – including supporters from multiple countries, Belgium, and Germany – held a moment of remembrance for Charlie Kirk.

Growing Influence

These actions would carry less weight if Europe’s far right were not already on the march. Nationalist and conservative parties are in government in Italy, Eastern Europe, the West, and Central Europe, and are the leading parties in multiple states, the Netherlands, the Czechia, and the United Kingdom.

Up north and the Balkans, they are part of right-leaning governments, and in Sweden, they lend parliamentary support to a coalition. In the south, Vox is gaining popularity, and in the Iberian Peninsula, its counterpart is in the lead before local elections.

Worryingly, strict positions – on migration, religion, the green agenda, European unity, traditional values – are becoming normalised throughout the continent as mainstream parties ape them in a vain attempt to maintain their electoral support.

Holding the Line

In a strongly-worded article, a French MEP – who faced death threats after objecting to calls for a tribute for the activist – said that while the murder was an atrocity, he had “promoted division, advocated women stay at home, demonised homosexuality, blamed Jewish people for promoting migration … and equated reproductive rights to the Holocaust”.

She was the only one voicing opposition and insist that a difference be made between condemning the assassination and supporting the victim’s views.

“They do not seek honoring the deceased they want; it’s the right to insult and hate the people who do not resemble them … It is not free expression they champion, it is the acceptance of their extremism. Across the Atlantic, as in the EU.”

Today, resisting the concerted call for making him a symbol – “staying calm, remaining true to what we are” – is of critical significance.