Man arrested after attacking Denmark’s prime minister

A man has been arrested after attacking Denmark’s prime minister Mette Frederiksen in central Copenhagen on Friday (June 7).

It was unclear whether Frederiksen was injured by the attacker.

The prime minister’s office said in a statement that Frederiksen was “shocked by the incident”, but did not provide further details.

“Prime minister Mette Frederiksen was hit by a man Friday evening on Kultorvet in Copenhagen. The man was subsequently arrested,” the statement said.

Police in the Danish capital said the incident had taken place at Kultorvet, a pedestrianised square in the centre of the city.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen called it a “despicable act, which goes against everything we believe in and fight for in Europe”.

The attack comes two days before Denmark votes in the EU election.

Ms Frederiksen, leader of Denmark’s Social Democrats, had earlier taken part in a European election event with her party’s lead candidate Christel Schaldemose, Denmark’s TV2 reports.

(With inputs from agencies)