Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was assaulted by a man in central Copenhagen on Friday but walked away unharmed, as reported by local residents and media outlets. The incident took place at Kultorvet Square, where the Prime Minister was reportedly beaten by the man who was subsequently arrested. Despite the attack, Frederiksen showed no visible signs of harm, according to witnesses.
In response to the incident, Frederiksen's office released a statement expressing her shock over the assault. Danish police confirmed the arrest of the assailant and stated that they were investigating the matter further, refraining from disclosing additional details at the time.
Soren Kjergaard, a barista working at the square, noted that the Prime Minister appeared slightly stressed following the attack. The news of the assault also elicited strong reactions from political figures, with Danish Minister of Environment Magnus Heunicke expressing his shock and solidarity with Frederiksen.
International leaders, including Edgars Rinkevics, the president of Latvia, condemned the violence, emphasizing that such acts are unacceptable in a democratic society. Rinkevics extended his thoughts to Prime Minister Frederiksen and her family in the wake of the incident.
The assault on Frederiksen occurred just days before the European Union election in Denmark, adding a layer of tension to the political climate. This incident also comes in the wake of a recent assassination attempt on Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, underscoring the security challenges faced by political leaders in the region.
