Copenhagen: Danish PM Mette Frederiksen attacked by man

“Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was hit by a man Friday evening on Kultorvet [public square] in Copenhagen. The man was subsequently arrested,” the prime minister’s office said as quoted by CNN.

The Prime Minister said she was 'shocked' by the incident.

It is still not clear whether she was hurt in the alleged assault.

Danish Minister of Environment Magnus Heunicke said the incident shocked the Prime Minister and them who are closely associated with her.

"Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was today assaulted and beaten by a man on Kultorvet in Copenhagen.

Mette is naturally shocked by the attack. I must say that it shakes all of us who are close to her," he said.

"Something like this must not happen in our beautiful, safe and free country. We all have a responsibility to look after each other and the values our country is built on. The police have arrested a man for the assault.Let's take a clear and sharp distance and instead move together and take care of each other. Regardless of political disagreements, election campaign etc. This is ugly and unacceptable," the minister said.

"Let's show that Denmark is much better," the minister said.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen described the incident as a 'despicable act' and condemned it.

"Dear @Statsmin Mette, I was so shocked at the news of you being assaulted tonight.I condemn this despicable act which goes against everything we believe and fight for in Europe," she said.

Extending support to the assaulted leader, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa posted on X: "Deeply shocked by the outrageous attack on my colleague and friend, Prime Minister of #Denmark Mette Frederiksen."

Denmark’s center-left Socialist Democratic party leader Mette Frederiksen is serving as the Prime Minister of the country since 2019.