Before the European elections, attacks on politicians are increasing. Denmark’s Prime Minister Frederiksen is the latest victim. The Scandinavian country is not the only place where horror reigns.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was beaten by a man in downtown Copenhagen. The attack occurred on Friday evening, the Social Democrat’s office told the German Press Agency. Frederiksen was “shocked by the incident.”
The police confirmed an arrest, but otherwise did not comment on the attack. It was initially unclear how exactly the attack on Kultorvet Square in the old town took place and whether Frederiksen sustained any injuries. No information was given about the identity of the person arrested or their motive.
As in other EU countries, the election campaign for the European elections on June 9 is underway in Denmark. In recent days, Frederiksen has supported the campaign of the Social Democratic top candidate Christel Schaldemose, including on Friday. However, the attack on Frederiksen did not occur in this context, Schaldemose told the Danish news agency Ritzau. The head of government herself did not initially comment on the incident.
Politicians were appalled
There were also numerous reactions to the incident from international politics. “Violence has no place in politics,” wrote the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, on X. EU Council President Charles Michel spoke of a “cowardly act of aggression.”
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote: “I condemn this despicable act, which contradicts everything we believe in and fight for in Europe. I wish you strength and courage – I know you have plenty of both.” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stressed: “An attack on a democratically elected head of government is also an attack on our democracy.”
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stressed on X: “An attack on a democratically elected head of government is also an attack on our democracy.”
In the recent past, several politicians in Europe have been attacked in the streets. The attack on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was critically injured by several shots from an opponent of the government on May 15, attracted a lot of attention. There have also been several attacks on politicians in Germany. In Dresden, for example, SPD campaigner Matthias Ecke was beaten so badly that he had to be hospitalized, and most recently, an AfD local politician in Mannheim was injured with a knife while pursuing an election poster thief.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
