Left Party Leader Defends Remarks on US Activist Charlie Kirk Following His Death
BERLIN – Left Party parliamentary group leader Heidi Reichinnek sparked controversy during an appearance on the TV show “Caren Miosga,” defending comments made by herself and her staff regarding the death of US activist Charlie kirk. Reichinnek displayed limited sympathy for those expressing regret over Kirk’s murder, and offered a sharply critical assessment of the activist’s political views.
During the program, Reichinnek addressed a post made by her personal spokesperson on social media following Kirk’s death. The post, accompanying a photo of kirk, read “Oh no” and “Anyway,” which the spokesperson intended to convey indifference. Reichinnek explained the post was an attempt to shift attention away from the tragedy, coinciding with another school shooting. “On the same day there was a massacre at a school again, and that was a very cynical but sadly also very suitable way that this school massacre you just go over it!” she stated. She acknowledged the post was “discussed incorrectly” and afterward deleted, but also noted its uptake by right-wing media.
reichinnek strongly refuted characterizations of Kirk as simply a “right-wing conservative,” asserting, “He was a white supremacist…so he was an ultra-right. He is a racist.” While acknowledging a general aversion to celebrating anyone’s death, she stated, “You don’t have to have pity or respect for this person at this point. I am surprised that this ultra-right nationalist is now being mourned in manny places.”
When host Caren Miosga pointed out that Kirk had been shot, Reichinnek responded, “Yes, from another Republican.” Miosga then presented Reichinnek with examples of posts from left-wing youth groups reacting to Kirk’s death.
One post stated: “Bloody and right-wing politics leads to bloody cartridges. With a shot in the neck,the end of his right-wing radical and exploitative politics was sealed.” Another,from a left-wing youth group in Hanau,featured a photo of Kirk with his daughter and the caption “Rotten in Hell.”
Reichinnek distanced herself from these specific posts, stating, “These were now two examples that I do not share.” However,she maintained that right-wing extremism in the United States contributes to such violence,while also asserting she could not be held responsible for every post made by members of the left youth.