Following a recent assault in central Copenhagen, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has spoken out in her first television interview since the incident. Frederiksen, who suffered a minor whiplash after being assaulted by a 39-year-old Polish man living in Denmark, expressed that she is not quite herself but will continue to work mostly from her office.
During the interview, Frederiksen did not provide specific details of the assault but described the experience as intimidating and crossing a physical limit. She mentioned that threats on social media had escalated, particularly after recent events in the Middle East, contributing to the overall tension.
Despite the personal nature of the attack, Frederiksen emphasized that it was an assault on her role as prime minister and, by extension, on the country as a whole. She highlighted the importance of maintaining a safe environment where public officials can carry out their duties without fear.
The assailant, who was arrested and held in pre-trial custody on charges of violence against a person in public service, reportedly praised Frederiksen as a good prime minister during court proceedings. Investigators suspect that he may have been under the influence of drugs and intoxicated at the time of the incident.
The assault occurred just before 6 p.m. local time on Friday when the man approached Frederiksen and pushed her forcefully, causing injury to her upper right arm. Since the attack, Frederiksen has not made any public appearances and refrained from participating in public events following the European Parliament elections.
Frederiksen, who has been serving as Denmark's prime minister since 2019, expressed her desire for a safer environment where public officials can carry out their duties without fear of violence. The motive behind the assault remains unclear as investigations continue into the incident.
