Attack on Mette Frederiksen
On 7 June 2024, Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen was assaulted in Kultorvet, Copenhagen.
| Attack on Mette Frederiksen | |
|---|---|
| Location | Kultorvet Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Date | 7 June 2024 |
| Target | Mette Frederiksen |
Background
Political violence in Europe
Leading up to the 2024 European Parliament election, several instances of political violence have occurred in Europe. In May, Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico was shot several times.[1]
Mette Frederiksen
Mette Frederiksen has served as the prime minister of Denmark since June 2019 and the leader of the Social Democrats since June 2015. In June 2024, Frederiksen appeared in Normandy for the eightieth anniversary of the Normandy landings.[2]
Attack
On 7 June 2024, Frederiksen was purportedly shoved by a man in Kultorvet, Copenhagen.[1] Bystanders said that she was roughly shoved, causing her fall sideways, though she did not hit the ground.[1]
A 39-year-old man from Poland was arrested, though he denied the charges.[1]
Aftermath
Frederiksen was found to have whiplash.[1] Days later, she said that she was still shaken by the incident, but said she believed it was "the prime minister who got hit", differentiating it from an attack on her personally.[3]
Responses
Domestic
Environment minister Magnus Heunicke wrote on X that the attack "shakes all of us who are close to her".[2]
International
European Council president Charles Michel stated he was "outraged".[1] Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, called the attack "despicable".[1]
References
- Wright, George (7 June 2024). "Danish PM attacked by man in Copenhagen". BBC News. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- Tekali, Maya (7 June 2024). "Denmark's Prime Minister Is Attacked in Copenhagen Square". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- Cursino, Malu (11 June 2024). "Danish PM still not feeling well after street attack". BBC News. Retrieved 11 June 2024.