Charlie Kirk shooting another example of escalating political violence in US

Harry McGee and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:

·       The assassination of the conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk on stage at a college campus in Utah on Wednesday is the latest chapter in America’s increasingly toxic political climate. A Donald Trump loyalist, Kirk was instrumental in mobilising younger voters during last year’s US presidential race. Unfortunately, the threat of violence is present in Irish politics too, with Tánaiste Simon Harris outspoken on the intimidation and bomb threats directed at him and his family.

·       The urgency with which aspiring independent presidential candidates have sought support is ramping up, with ten Oireachtas members now said to have given commitments to conservative campaigner Maria Steen to nominate her to enter the presidential election. Council nominations are also a viable route for independents but one that is narrowing all the time.

·       And EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to suspend parts of EU-Israel trade deal could be seen as a significant shift towards the stance Ireland and others have taken as the slaughter in Gaza continues.

Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:

·       Javier Milei’s right-wing ‘chainsaw revolution’ in Argentina, Ireland’s shambolic display against Armenia as their World Cup dream dies, and yet another new prime minister as France’s political crisis deepens.

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