Copenhagen, June 08, 2024, The Europe Today: Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was assaulted by a man in a Copenhagen square on Friday evening, her office reported.
“Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was hit by a man Friday evening on Kultorvet in Copenhagen. The man was subsequently arrested,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement to the AFP news agency. The statement added that Frederiksen was “shocked by the incident.”
Copenhagen Police Confirm Arrest
Copenhagen police confirmed the incident but did not provide further details. “We have one person arrested in the case, which we are now investigating. At this time, we have no further comments or remarks on the case,” police said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.
There was no immediate information on how the assault took place or whether Frederiksen was injured.
Incident Occurs Ahead of European Parliament Elections
The attack comes just two days before Danes are set to vote in the European Parliament elections.
In response, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her support. “Dear @Statsmin Mette, I was so shocked at the news of you being assaulted tonight. I condemn this despicable act which goes against everything we believe and fight for in Europe. I wish you strength and courage – I know you have plenty of both,” she said.
Both EU chief Charles Michel and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola condemned the assault on Frederiksen. Michel stated on X that he was “outraged” and “strongly condemn[ed] this cowardly act of aggression.” Metsola, calling the attack “appalling,” added in her own post, “Violence has no place in politics.”
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
