COPENHAGEN: Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Saturday cancelled her scheduled appointments after suffering a whiplash injury in a street attack in Copenhagen that left her “shaken”, AFP reported.
The incident occurred on Friday evening in Copenhagen square, where Frederiksen was assaulted, leading to a minor whiplash injury. Although she was taken to a hospital for a check-up and declared safe, her office confirmed that she was visibly shaken by the incident, prompting the cancellation of her Saturday schedule.
French President Emmanuel Macron along with other European leaders condemned the attack, terming it “unacceptable” and wishing Frederiksen a swift recovery. The attacker, identified as a 39-year-old man, is set to be questioned by the Copenhagen district court to determine potential remand in custody.
Eyewitnesses recounted the incident to newspaper BT, describing how the attacker forcefully pushed Frederiksen, causing her to stagger but not fall completely. The assailant was immediately apprehended by persons in suits before he could flee the scene.
The assault on Frederiksen prompted strong condemnation from EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who characterized it as a “despicable act” antithetical to European values.
Frederiksen, who became Denmark’s youngest prime minister in 2019 and retained her position following the 2022 general election, is the latest in a series of politicians targeted in attacks across Europe. The incident comes amidst heightened political tensions ahead of the EU elections, with Danes preparing to cast their votes on Sunday.
Just weeks ago, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico narrowly survived an assassination attempt, enduring multiple gunshot wounds as he greeted supporters after a government meeting. Despite his injuries, Fico has been vocal in advocating for peace initiatives over military escalation.
On Saturday, Fico published a photo of him voting in hospital in the European elections and blasted the West for fomenting tensions with Russia.
“I voted in hospital”, the 59-year-old said, adding: “It is necessary to elect European members of parliament who back peace initiatives and not war”.
