Denmark’s Prime Minister is attacked on Copenhagen Square

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was attacked in a busy square in Copenhagen on Friday evening. The attack left her “shaken”, her office said, but she was able to walk. Police said they had made one arrest.

“We have a suspect in custody and are now investigating the case,” Copenhagen police said, without making any further comment. The motive for the attack is unclear.

Several media outlets reported that the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement saying she had been “beaten,” but it was unclear what injuries she had sustained.

Several Danish politicians expressed their concern about the incident.

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

Ms Frederiksen, 46, has been Prime Minister since 2019. She leads the centre-left Social Democrats party.

The attack occurred just days before the European Union elections in Denmark.

The attack also resonated beyond Denmark’s borders. The prime ministers of Finland and Sweden signalled their support. It happened less than a month after Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and seriously injured in an assassination attempt, which he nevertheless survived.

Mrs Frederiksen was in Normandy on Thursday, speaking at the 80th anniversary commemoration of D-Day. She paid tribute to the sacrifices of Danish soldiers and extolled the virtues of freedom. She said: “Freedom is not an inheritance. Freedom is a fight, a battle, a struggle. Every day. Every hour. Right now.”

Kaly Soto contributed to the reporting.