Shock in Copenhagen

Alarm in Copenhagen: Prime Minister attacked

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was attacked during an appearance in Copenhagen on Friday evening.

(Bild: APA/AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was attacked and beaten by a man in the center of Copenhagen on Friday. According to media reports, she suffered a shock. 

According to news agencies, it was initially unclear whether the Social Democrat was injured by the attacker. During the night, however, eyewitnesses told Reuters that Frederiksen at least did not appear to have suffered any external injuries. The attacker was arrested after the incident.

Not far from the prime minister's home
The attack took place on Kultorvet (Kohlmarkt), not far from the Prime Minister's home. Two witnesses told the newspaper "BT" that they had seen Frederiksen come onto the square shortly before 6 p.m. as they were sitting nearby. A man had come from the opposite direction and pushed her hard on the shoulder, causing her to fall to the side. It was a strong blow, but Frederiksen did not fall to the ground.

The Danish head of government then sat down in a nearby café, the witnesses continued. The man tried to run away. However, he did not get far before men in suits grabbed him and pushed him to the ground.

Social Democrat Mette Frederiksen (46)

(Bild: APA Pool/APA/AFP/Ritzau Scanpix/Ida Marie Odgaard)

The police announced on the social media platform X that they had arrested a man and were investigating the incident. No further details were given.

"Horrible"
The leader of the Swedish Social Democrats, Magdalena Andersson, called the news of the incident "terrible". "For a head of government to be attacked two days before an election is an attack on our open and free society," she wrote on X, alluding to the EU elections.

The European Social Democrats also expressed their shock. "Acts of violence are always an attack on democracy. We will not be intimidated", said the S&D Group on X.

"Completely unacceptable"
Pia Olsen Dyhr, leader of the Socialist People's Party, described the act as "completely unacceptable". "Full sympathy and support for the Prime Minister. Violence is never okay," said Morten Messerschmidt, leader of the Danish People's Party.

Nehammer: "We must defend ourselves against this violence"
Chancellor Karl Nehammer also commented on "Krone" and on X on Saturday night: "The attack on Mette Frederiksen must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Violence endangers democracy!" The attacks against election workers and politicians in recent weeks are also attacks on a free society and a consequence of increasing radicalization.

"We must stand up against this violence and defend ourselves - with a clear stance and a strong voice for democracy, freedom, peaceful coexistence and against hatred and violence. I hope that Mette Frederiksen is not seriously injured and that the perpetrator is brought to justice," said the Chancellor. 

The attack took place two days before the EU elections in Denmark. Three weeks ago, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was seriously injured in a shooting attack. There have also been numerous attacks on politicians in Germany in recent weeks.