In a disturbing incident, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was assaulted by an unidentified man while on a public square in Copenhagen on Friday, June 7. The Prime Minister’s office confirmed that Frederiksen was ‘hit’ by the assailant, who has since been detained by the police. Frederiksen, who was visibly shaken by the sudden act of violence, did not appear to have sustained any injuries as she left the scene on her own accord .The attack, which occurred just days before the European Parliament elections, has been met with a swift and unified response of condemnation from both national and international leaders. Danish Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke described the assault as shocking and emphasized that such violence should not occur in a ‘beautiful, safe, and free country’ like Denmark. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Council President Charles Michel, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have all expressed their outrage, underscoring that violence has no place in politics and affirming their solidarity with Frederiksen.The Copenhagen police have confirmed the arrest and are investigating the incident, but have yet to release further details, including the motive behind the attack or information about the arrested individual. The Danish Minister of Defense, Troels Lund Poulsen, and other politicians have voiced their support for Frederiksen, highlighting the assault as an attack on democratic values and the peaceful conduct of political activities.As Denmark prepares for the parliamentary election scheduled for Sunday, June 9, the attack on Frederiksen has cast a shadow over the electoral process, reminding citizens and politicians alike of the importance of maintaining civility and security in the democratic arena.
Key points
- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was attacked by an unidentified man in a public square in Copenhagen.
- The Prime Minister was ‘shocked’ by the incident but was not reported to be injured.
- National and international leaders have condemned the attack, emphasizing that violence has no place in politics.
- The attack occurred ahead of the European Parliament elections, raising concerns about the security of political figures.
