In an initial reaction, CDU politician Bosbach praised the slain activist Charlie Kirk as one of the"most influential young conservative voices in the world." Following criticism of her tribute, she deleted her Instagram post – and explained her decision.

CDU Bundestag member Caroline Bosbach described the murdered right-wing US activist Charlie Kirk as a "fighter for Western values" in a now-deleted Instagram post. She emphasized Kirk's willingness to engage in dialogue with political opponents:"Hardly anyone stood for free debate like he did. Kirk didn't exclude dissidents, but traveled across America to engage in dialogue with them," Bosbach wrote. With Kirk's passing, one of the"most influential young conservative voices in the world" has passed away.

The Green Party in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis criticized the tribute."While the violent death of the controversial politician must be condemned without reservation, the positive portrayal of a person who repeatedly expressed racist, sexist, and anti-democratic views must be critically examined," the Green Party said. Kirk was known for his extremist views. Among other things, he described Black women as intellectually inferior.

Bosbach has since removed her post. In a short text to her followers, the politician wrote that she had highlighted Kirk's contributions to freedom of expression."You can do that, even if you don't agree with every single one of his statements." Many comments then completely missed the point."That didn't do the matter justice."

Bosbach hails from Bergisch Gladbach and won the direct mandate in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis for the CDU in February. Local elections are taking place in North Rhine-Westphalia this Sunday.

Kirk, 31, a known supporter of US President Donald Trump, was shot Wednesday during a speech on the campus of a university in the state of Utah. He later died in the hospital. The governor believes it was a"political assassination." A 22-year-old suspect has since been arrested.