The murder of MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk has ignited a wave of far-right mobilization across Europe and beyond. Last week, hundreds gathered outside the U.S. embassy in Berlin for a candlelight vigil, prominently featuring members of Germany’s far-right AfD party. Deputy parliamentary leader Beatrix von Storch claimed Kirk’s death marked a pivotal moment in their “fight for civilization,” urging supporters to continue his mission against “mass migration” and “left-wing ideology.”
This tragic event has provided far-right factions with a rallying cry and a recruitment tool, uniting their bases under Kirk’s martyrdom. Leaders like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán have publicly expressed their outrage, with Orbán attributing blame to “the hate-mongering left.” Far-right parties across the EU are now leveraging Kirk’s death in their messaging strategies, aiming to exert pressure on mainstream center-right parties.
During a recent conference in Madrid, André Ventura of Portugal’s Chega party noted Kirk’s murder as a catalyst for mobilization. In London, Elon Musk addressed a far-right rally honoring Kirk, framing the left as “the party of murder” and warning of impending violence. Memorials for Kirk have emerged in various cities, including a standing ovation in Bordeaux and public displays in Paris.
The far-right’s appropriation of Kirk’s death extends even to countries where such narratives seem out of place. In South Africa, a conservative enclave lowered its flag to honor him, while drawing parallels to local racial tensions. Critics argue that Kirk’s focus on issues like trans rights is irrelevant in regions grappling with more pressing challenges.
Despite the irony of ultra-nationalist groups adopting an American-centric message, Kirk had also sought to expand his influence internationally, engaging with conservative movements in Asia shortly before his death. His legacy, as articulated by leaders like Sohei Kamiya of Japan’s far-right Sanseito party, emphasizes the continuity of his convictions, portraying him as a collaborator in their shared agenda.
