Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen Attacked by Man in Copenhagen Square

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was attacked by a man in central Copenhagen, according to her office.

The incident occurred on Friday evening, July 7, at Kultorvet square. Frederiksen, 46, was reportedly shocked by the event. The attacker was arrested shortly after the assault.

Copenhagen police confirmed on social media that one person was arrested and an investigation is ongoing, but they did not provide details about the suspect.

The assault happened just two days before Denmark’s European Union parliamentary elections. Frederiksen had been campaigning with the Social Democrats’ EU lead candidate, Christel Schaldemose.

Witnesses Marie Adrian and Anna Ravn told a newspaper that they saw Frederiksen being pushed hard on the shoulder by a man, causing her to stumble but not fall. The man attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended by men in suits.

Another witness, Kasper Jorgensen, described seeing the man subdued on the ground by security personnel. He noted that the man appeared confused and dazed.

Following the incident, Frederiksen was escorted away by her security team.

European leaders condemned the attack. European Council President Charles Michel expressed outrage, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola urged Frederiksen to stay strong, stating that violence has no place in politics.

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen called the attack a despicable act against European values. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also condemned the assault, emphasizing that an attack on a democratic leader is an attack on democracy itself.

Frederiksen, who became Denmark’s youngest prime minister in 2019, secured her position again in the 2022 general election.