On Friday, the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, was attacked in the center of Copenhagen by a man who has already been arrested. The incident occurred in Kultorvet Square and it is still unknown if Frederiksen has been injured. The Danish Police have launched an investigation without providing further details.
The attack on the prime minister took place in the midst of a European election campaign, with Frederiksen attending several events with Christel Schaldemose, the Social Democratic candidate. Many European leaders have condemned the attack, calling it “ugly” and “unacceptable.”
Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke expressed his shock and concern for Frederiksen’s well-being on social media. Finance Minister Nicolai Wammen described the attack as “terrible,” while Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt stressed that any attack on an elected politician is an attack on democracy itself. Deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen emphasized that Denmark is not like that and opposition leader Inger Stojberg urged caution to protect democracy.
The reactions were not limited to Denmark. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo expressed deep shock and condemnation of any violence against democratically elected leaders. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also condemned the act as an attack on democracy. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola called for strength in the face of such attacks, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the despicable act that goes against everything they stand for in Europe.
