Patriots for Europe is proposing a minute of silence in the European Parliament for Quentin Deranque, a French far-right activist who passed away following a clash with left-wing protesters in Lyon, during a session commemorating the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The passing of French far-right activist Quentin Deranque has been brought to the attention of the European Parliament, with the Patriots for Europe faction seeking a minute of silence during next week’s plenary meeting, according to sources and MEPs affiliated with the group who spoke to Euronews.
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A protest arranged by far-right groups is also scheduled to take place in Brussels on Thursday evening.
Deranque, aged 23, died this past Saturday in hospital after being severely beaten during an encounter between far-left and far-right activists in Lyon, which occurred after an event involving far-left MEP Rima Hassan.
According to eyewitnesses, Deranque was providing security at a demonstration opposing Hassan’s presence at Sciences Po university when rival activists attacked him. His death has ignited protests and political discussions throughout France.
The far-right Rassemblement National (RN) delegation in the European Parliament has acted to present the case to the assembly, with delegation leader Jean-Paul Garraud submitting a formal request for a minute of silence prior to next week’s plenary session.
This special session was originally arranged exclusively to commemorate the fourth anniversary of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Patriots for Europe supports the move by its French member party and will officially request that European Parliament President Roberta Metsola grant approval.
According to Parliamentary procedures, before a session begins, political groups can petition the president for a minute of silence, which may be authorized or denied at the president’s discretion during the session’s opening.
Euronews has contacted the Parliament requesting a statement.
The initiative recalls a controversy from last year when Swedish MEP Charlie Weimers sought a minute of silence during an ongoing session to honour the death of far-right US activist Charlie Kirk.
A European Parliament vice president rejected that motion on procedural grounds, leading to vocal objections from multiple MEPs.