Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen attacked in Copenhagen

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was attacked by a man who was later detained in Copenhagen on Friday, according to her office, CNN reported.

The PM office’s spokesperson said, "Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was hit by a man Friday evening on Kultorvet [public square] in Copenhagen. The man was subsequently arrested."

It added that Frederiksen "is shocked by the incident" and there was no further comment. It is unclear if the prime minister was hurt in the assault.

After the attack, Danish Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke called for national solidarity, stating that regardless of "political disagreements and election campaigns", everyone has a responsibility to watch out for each other.

"Something like this must not happen in our beautiful, safe, and free country," he said on X. 

"This is ugly and unacceptable. Let’s show that Denmark is much better."

Since then, world leaders from all corners of the world have expressed their shock.

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, in a post on X, said, "Deeply shocked by the outrageous attack on my colleague and friend, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack, calling it a "despicable act which goes against everything we believe in and fight for in Europe."