Narendra Modi Expresses Concern Over Attack On Danish PM Mette Frederiksen

The attack on Danish PM Mette Frederiksen has drawn swift condemnation from Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on Saturday. According to the local media reports, she was hit by a man in Copenhagen.

"Deeply concerned by the news of the attack on Mette Frederiksen, Denmark's Prime Minister. The attack is condemned," Modi posted on X.

Photo Credit: PTI

Attack on Danish PM

Details surrounding the incident remain unclear, but local media reported that Frederiksen was forcefully approached and pushed hard by the assailant while passing Kultorvet Square, a central piazza in Copenhagen. Subsequently, a 39-year-old man was arrested in connection with the attack, with a pre-trial custody hearing scheduled for him at 1100 GMT on Saturday at the Copenhagen District Court in Frederiksberg.

Frederiksen's office confirmed in a statement on Saturday that she suffered minor whiplash but is otherwise fine after the incident. French President Emmanuel Macron also denounced the "unacceptable" attack, expressing his condemnation on X (former Twitter). "The attack on the Danish Prime Minister is unacceptable," Macron asserted.

"I strongly condemn this act and wish Mette Frederiksen a speedy recovery," he added. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed shock over what happened to Frederiksen, whom he called a friend. Charles Michel, president of the European Council, condemned X what he described as a "cowardly act of aggression."

The assault occurred just two days before Danes headed to the polls in the EU election, adding a political dimension to the incident. Three weeks ago, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico was seriously injured in an assassination attempt, further highlighting the vulnerability of political figures.

The attack on Frederiksen coincides with European Union parliamentary elections underway in Denmark and across the 27-nation bloc. Notably, Frederiksen has been campaigning with the Social Democrats' EU lead candidate, Christel Schaldemose, though media reports indicate the attack was not linked to a campaign event.

In May, a German candidate from the centre-left Social Democrats was beaten and seriously injured while campaigning for the European Parliament, underlining the risks faced by politicians during electoral periods.