On this afternoon in Copenhagen, the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was attacked and beaten by a man who was later arrested, according to the Danish news agency Ritzau. The incident took place at a market in Kultorvet, located in the old town of the capital city. Frederiksen expressed that she was shocked by what happened.
The attack on Frederiksen occurred just two days before the European elections, which began on Thursday and will continue until Sunday. The future 720 members of the European Parliament will be elected during these elections.
Frederiksen had been campaigning with the Social Democrats’ main EU candidate, Christel Schaldemose, ahead of Sunday’s elections, although Schaldemose clarified that her presence at Kultorvet was not related to the campaign.
Danish authorities have not provided any further information on Frederiksen’s condition at this time. However, Vice president and Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen wrote on social media that Denmark does not attack its prime minister and expressed shock over the incident. Other leaders of Danish parties and ministers also condemned the attack and sent messages of support to Frederiksen.