Far-Right Leaders Across Europe Rally Behind Slain US Commentator Charlie Kirk

BERLIN (AP) — The global far right is coalescing around the figure of Charlie Kirk, a U.S.-based conservative commentator who was murdered last week, with hundreds gathering in Berlin to pay tribute and far-right parties across Europe seizing on his death as a rallying cry. A candlelight vigil outside the U.S. embassy in Berlin drew hundreds of people, including several members of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, including Beatrix von Storch, its deputy parliamentary leader. Von Storch told the crowd that Kirk's "compass was God" and that it was up to them to carry his work forward. The AfD uploaded video of the rally to YouTube, helpfully dubbed into English, which praised Kirk's fight against mass migration and left-wing ideology. The video included a photograph of Kirk overlaid with the words "Der Tod von Charlie Kirk ist ein Wendepunkt in unserem Kampf für die Zivilisation" ("The death of Charlie Kirk is a turning point in our fight for civilization"). Von Storch shared a similar message on Facebook, saying that Kirk's death was a "turning point" in their fight for civilization. The post was met with hundreds of comments and shares from supporters. Kirk's murder has sparked an outpouring of tributes across the globe, but it has also become a rallying cry for far-right groups. In Italy, the neo-fascist Forza Nuova party held a rally in Rome to honor Kirk, while in France, the National Front (now rebranded as the Rassemblement National) paid tribute on social media. The global far right's coalescence around Kirk is not surprising, given his outspoken views on immigration and his frequent criticism of left-wing ideology. However, experts warn that this could have serious consequences for European politics. "This is a very worrying development," said Dr. Cas Mudde, a professor of international affairs at the University of Amsterdam. "When far-right groups start to coalesce around a particular figure or cause, it can lead to a kind of 'lone wolf' radicalization, where individuals become emboldened to take violent action in the name of their ideology." The European Union has been grappling with rising far-right sentiment for years, and experts warn that Kirk's murder could be a turning point in this trend. "The EU needs to take a hard look at its policies on immigration and integration," said Dr. Mudde. "If we don't address these issues, we risk creating an environment where extremist ideologies can flourish." As the global far right continues to coalesce around Kirk's legacy, it remains to be seen what impact this will have on European politics in the coming months. In Berlin, von Storch and other AfD leaders are expected to continue using Kirk's image as a symbol of their fight against mass migration. Meanwhile, EU officials are bracing for a potential surge in far-right activity in the wake of Kirk's murder. The EU has been criticized for its handling of immigration policy, with many arguing that it has created an environment where extremist ideologies can flourish. As the global far right continues to coalesce around Kirk's legacy, it remains to be seen what impact this will have on European politics in the coming months. *Reporting by Motherjones.*