Danish investigators believe there is no political motive behind the assault on the country's top leader.
A 39-year-old Polish man was arrested for assaulting Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, in downtown Copenhagen. The 46-year-old leader sustained a minor "whiplash injury."
Frederiksen posted on Instagram, expressing her gratitude for the multitude of supportive and uplifting messages she received. She needed time with her family and a break from the public eye.
During a court hearing, the defendant's attorney revealed a medical certificate detailing the man's psychological struggles. It was alleged that the 39-year-old had been using drugs and alcohol at the time of his arrest. During the hearing, he claimed he couldn't recall the specifics of Friday's attack.
Two witnesses, who saw the incident unfold, spoke to the paper BT, describing how the attacker shoved the Prime Minister forcefully against her shoulder and leaned her to the side. Afterward, the assailant attempted to flee but was apprehended by men in suits and dragged to the ground.
The assault on Frederiksen occurred not long after Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and wounded in mid-May. Similarly, recent incidents of violence against politicians have taken place in Germany.
The incident provoked outrage throughout Europe. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) decried the act on Twitter, stating that "violence should never be part of political disagreements." Egyptian Council President Charles Michel characterized it as a "cowardly assault," while EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed shock, stating that such actions contradicted European values. EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola deemed it "despicable" and reiterated the importance of non-violent political discourse.
Danish Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke remarked that the event had profoundly affected everyone close to the Prime Minister. He reminded everyone, "This should never happen in our safe, democratic, and free country."
Frederiksen has led Denmark's government for five years. In 2019, she made history as the youngest Prime Minister in the nation's history. In the recent November 2022 election, her Social Democrats maintained their position as the most popular party.
Denmark's European election, much like Germany's and other EU country's, will take place on Sunday.
