Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen attacked in the centre of Copenhagen

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was beaten in the street in downtown Copenhagen, her office said.

Her statement said: “Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was beaten by a man in Kultorvet in Copenhagen on Friday evening, who was subsequently arrested. The Prime Minister is shocked by the incident.”

Kultorvet Square is a pedestrian zone in the old town.

It is unclear whether the prime minister was injured in the attack. A barista who works in the square said she saw Ms Frederiksen “stressed” as she was led away by security staff after the attack.

At 5 p.m. local time, Ms. Frederiksen and Christel Schaldemose, the Social Democrats’ EU expert, visited a magazine, Danish broadcaster TV2 reported.

The couple separated at around 5:30 p.m. and the attack is said to have occurred 20 minutes later. TV2 has not confirmed this to the authorities.

The attack occurred two days before Danes go to the polls for the European elections. Ms Frederiksen has been on the campaign trail in recent weeks. However, local media said the incident was not related to a campaign event.

“An attack on our democracy”

Politicians from across Europe have addressed the incident in social media posts.

Danish Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke said on X: “Mette is of course shocked by the attack. I have to say, it shocks all of us who are close to her.”

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said he was “deeply shocked by the attack.”

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms any form of violence against democratically elected leaders in our free societies,” he continued. “My thoughts are with you and I wish you strength in this difficult time.”

Swede Ulf Kristersson wrote: “For me, Mette is a very good colleague and wise partner. An attack on a democratically elected politician is also an attack on our democracy.”

On Thursday, Mrs Frederiksen met with other heads of state and government in Normandy, France, to Commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy.

Three weeks ago, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico seriously injured in an assassination attempt.

Last month, while greeting supporters on the street, he was shot five times at point-blank range. A 71-year-old man was arrested at the scene.

This breaking news story will be updated and further details will be released shortly.

Please refresh the page for the full version.

You can receive breaking news on your smartphone or tablet via the Sky News AppYou can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our Youtube channel to stay up to date with the latest news.