A 39-year-old man is set to appear in a pre-trial custody hearing after reportedly assaulting Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in central Copenhagen. The incident took place on Friday, with witnesses stating that the man pushed Frederiksen hard on the shoulder, causing her to be shoved aside. Fortunately, the Prime Minister did not fall down and did not sustain visible injuries to her face.
The man was swiftly apprehended by a member of Frederiksen's protection unit and a police officer. Frederiksen's office confirmed that she was 'shocked' by the incident. Politicians both in Denmark and abroad have condemned the reported assault, with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasizing that an attack on a democratically elected leader is an attack on democracy.
The assault comes amidst ongoing European Union parliamentary elections in Denmark and the rest of the bloc. Frederiksen, who has been Denmark's Prime Minister since 2019, has been campaigning with the Social Democrats' EU lead candidate, Christel Schaldemose. Reports indicate that the attack was not linked to a campaign event.
Violence against politicians has been a concerning issue in the lead-up to the EU elections, with incidents reported in Germany and Slovakia. In Denmark, assaults on politicians are rare, with a notable incident occurring in 2003 when activists threw red paint on then-Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen inside the parliament.
Frederiksen, 46, has been at the helm of Denmark during challenging times, including navigating the global COVID-19 pandemic and making controversial decisions such as the culling of Denmark's captive mink population in 2020. Despite the rare occurrence of assaults on politicians in Denmark, the incident involving the Prime Minister serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and security of elected officials.
