Danish PM Mette Frederiksen assaulted by man in Copenhagen square

Police arrest one man and open investigation into incident in Kultorvet square that left prime minister ‘shocked’.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was “hit” by a man in central Copenhagen, her office has said.

The 46-year-old was “shocked by the incident” on Friday evening in the capital’s Kultorvet square, the office said in a statement, without providing further details.

“Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was hit by a man Friday evening on Kultorvet in Copenhagen. The man was subsequently arrested,” the statement added, according to AFP news agency.

Copenhagen police also said on X that one person had been arrested and they were investigating the incident, but did not give details on the suspect’s identity or a potential motive.

It was unclear in what context the assault happened, but it came two days before Danes head to the polls to vote in European Union parliamentary elections, which conclude across the bloc on Sunday. Frederiksen has been campaigning with the Social Democrats’ EU lead candidate, Christel Schaldemose. Media reports said the attack was not linked to a campaign event.