Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was hospitalized with a minor whiplash injury following an altercation in central Copenhagen, her office confirmed. The incident occurred on Friday, leaving Frederiksen "safe but shaken," prompting the cancellation of her Saturday engagements.
Eyewitnesses recounted how the 46-year-old Prime Minister managed to leave the scene on foot after the incident took place.
Authorities swiftly apprehended a 39-year-old individual linked to the assault at Kultorvet Square in the heart of the capital. Subsequently, the suspect appeared before a pre-trial custody hearing in a Copenhagen district court.
The perpetrator claimed no animosity towards Frederiksen, describing her as "a really good Prime Minister" and expressing surprise at encountering her on the street.
Law enforcement probing the assault have ruled out political motivations behind the attack.
Reports from the Danish news agency Ritzau revealed that the assailant was intoxicated and under the influence of other substances at the time. Identified as a Polish citizen with long-standing residency in Denmark, he faced condemnation from across Europe.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg voiced his shock and condemnation of the violence against Frederiksen, emphasizing the need to protect political leaders.
"Shocked to hear about the violence against my friend Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of our ally Denmark. I strongly condemn all violence against our political leaders," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg wrote on the social media platform X.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen decried the incident as antithetical to European values, while French President Emmanuel Macron labeled it "unacceptable," extending well wishes for Frederiksen's swift recovery.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, along with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, emphasized the importance of safeguarding democracies from intimidation and violence.
"Dear Mette, I wish you a speedy recovery," he said.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo echoed similar sentiments, condemning any form of violence against democratically elected leaders.
"I strongly condemn any form of violence against democratically elected leaders in our free societies," Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson underscored the broader implications, stating that an attack on a democratically elected leader is an assault on democracy itself.
"An attack on a democratically elected leader is also an attack on our democracy," wrote Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on X.
The incident occurred amidst European Parliament elections across the EU's 27 member states, with Denmark's own elections scheduled for Sunday.
This event follows a series of attacks on politicians in Germany leading up to the elections and the shooting of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on May 15.
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