An occurrence in Copenhagen. - Denmark's Leader Expresses Sadness and Shock
Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, recently showed up for her first public event following a physical assault in Copenhagen. She showed her gratitude to the numerous messages of support she's received, expressing it by having an emoji of a heart on Instagram. Although melancholic, Frederiksen is fine otherwise. She needs a break and privacy with her loved ones.
On a Friday evening, a man assaulted Frederiksen at the heart of Copenhagen. The police have captured a suspect. He was indicted for hitting the Prime Minister on her upper arm. However, in court, the suspect denied his guilt.
It didn't seem to be an orchestrated attack with a political goal. The man suspected of attacking Frederiksen was likely under the effects of alcohol and drugs, according to the Danish news agency Ritzau. The fellow is a Polish citizen who proclaimed his admiration for the Prime Minister during his trial.
Those who witnessed the event recalled that Frederiksen turned to the side after she was struck, but she never fell to the ground. The politician underwent a medical examination in a hospital and sustained only a minor whiplash, confirmed her office. She pulled out of her participation in various events on Saturday and was anticipated not to engage in any public engagements on Sunday.
"Very shocking. This isn't how Denmark functions."
Both the coalition and opposition politicians in Denmark expressed their surprise and solidarity with the Prime Minister. The Danish Defense Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, expressed his sentiments in an X platform post, stating "Very shocking. This isn't how Denmark functions. We don't physically assault our prime minister."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also extended their sympathies and fast recovery wishes via X. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen penned a note to Frederiksen, being appalled by the act and insisting that it contradicts all we believe in and stand for in Europe. She wished her grace and fortitude - knowing she has plenty of both.
In recent times, several European politicians have encountered street attacks, including in Germany. SPD election campaigner Matthias Ecke received a severe beating in Dresden, and a local AfD politician in Mannheim sustained injuries while chasing a thief who stole an election poster. Polish Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and severely wounded on May 15th by a government opponent.
Frederiksen originally spoke about inappropriate behavior on the internet, but at the time, she was referring to social media. She criticized this by sharing several insensitive messages she's received. Cyberbullying, sexism, abusive language, hatefulness, and threats are unfortunate obstacles for many in their daily lives. Frederiksen had suffered a torrent of insulting messages and threats that she'd never experienced before.
Read also:
- Despite needing a break and privacy, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen still found time to express her gratitude on Instagram, using an emoji of a heart after receiving numerous messages of support following her assault in Copenhagen.
- The man accused of assaulting Frederiksen in Poland was reportedly under the influence of alcohol and drugs, according to the Danish news agency Ritzaus Bureau, during his trial where he denied his guilt.
- In response to the attack on Frederiksen, SPD election campaigner Matthias Ecke was a victim of a severe beating in Dresden, while a local AfD politician in Mannheim sustained injuries while chasing a thief who stole an election poster in Germany.
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, extended their sympathies and wished for a fast recovery for Frederiksen via their respective X platforms, following the assault in Denmark.
- Following the assault, Frederiksen spoke out against inappropriate behavior on the internet, specifically addressing the insensitive messages and threats she had received on social media, particularly cyberbullying, sexism, and abusive language.
- The SPD, Germany's center-left political party, has been pushing for stricter measures against those who engage in severe offenses, and Chancellor Scholz has expressed his intentions to expel such individuals from Germany.
