Denmark’s Prime Minister attacked in Copenhagen « Euro Weekly News

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Fredderiksen was attacked in downtown Copenhagen on June 8.

Fredderiksen suffered no major injuries but was in “shock,” according to her office. The incident occurred at Kultorvet Square and led to the arrest of the 39-year-old attacker.

Two witnesses, Marie Adrian and Anna Ravn, told the local press: “A man came towards her and gave her a strong push in the shoulder, causing her to fall to the side.”

They said that despite the violent attack, Fredderiksen was able to maintain her balance and sat down in a nearby café to recover.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström described the attack as “absolutely cruel” and called for harsh punishment for the attacker, who was brought to justice.

Less than a month after the shooting of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, which required complicated surgery and subsequent recovery, European leaders expressed concern about the current state of democracy.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyed described the latest attack as a “despicable act that goes against everything we believe in and fight for in Europe.”

The leader of the Social Democrats, Mette Frederksen, is the youngest prime minister in Danish history. The attack occurred just two days before the EU elections in Denmark.