Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen targeted in Copenhagen's public space
The authorities first acknowledged an occurrence related to the prime minister, omitting any specifics. An individual was apprehended, and an inquiry was underway. The police declined to deliver any further information via their online service X.
Two witnesses informed the newspaper "BT" that they spotted Frederiksen around 6 pm on the square, seated close by. A man emerged from the opposite direction and pushed her rather forcefully on the shoulder, causing her to shift to the side. The prime minister managed to avoid falling to the ground. Following this, the Danish leader sat in a nearby cafe, they stated.
The man attempted to escape, but wasn't able to go far before being tackled by men in suits, who subsequently shoved him to the ground.
This incident prompted adverse reactions from prominent EU politicians. EU Council President Charles Michel issued a statement via X, condemning the "despicable act of violence." EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen labelled it a "disgusting" action that went against our shared values and goals in Europe. EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola labelled the attack "appalling" and reaffirmed that violence has no place in politics.
Danish Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke expressed his outrage in a social media post, noting that such an occurrence "disgusts us all who are close to her." "This should not occur in our wonderful, secure, and liberated country" he continued.
In recent months, there's been a string of attacks against politicians in Germany. Saxon SPD MEP Matthias Ecke, who suffered severe injuries after being assaulted in early May while putting up posters for his party. Prior to that, perpetrators assaulted a 28-year-old supporting the Greens. Berlin's SPD Senator for Economics and Technology, Franziska Giffey, was slightly injured in a bag attack a few days later. CDU Bundestag member Roderich Kiesewetter also sustained minor injuries during an assault at a campaign stand in Aalen, Baden-Württemberg.
In mid-May, the Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico was shot and critically injured after a cabinet meeting in Handlova. He required two surgical procedures.
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The incident involving Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen occurred in Copenhagen's public space. The individual who allegedly pushed Federiksen was apprehended by men in suits. EU politicians, including Council President Charles Michel, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Parliament President Roberta Metsola, strongly condemned the act of violence against Federiksen.
