Suspect Scheduled for Initial Interrogation Following Attack on Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen

**Assault on Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen Sparks Outrage Ahead of EU Elections**

In a shocking incident late Friday in central Copenhagen, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was assaulted at Kultorvet square, prompting widespread condemnation from European leaders. The 39-year-old assailant’s motives remain unclear, as he is set to face preliminary questioning on Saturday.

Frederiksen, who has led Denmark’s Social Democratic Party since 2019, was reportedly shaken but unharmed after the attack. Eyewitness Soren Kjergaard, a local barista, observed the Prime Minister walking away from the scene without any visible injuries, escorted by security personnel. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of public figures, coming just days before Danes participate in the European Union election.

The Danish police have scheduled the suspect’s court appearance for 1 p.m. (1100 GMT) at the Copenhagen City Court, though details about the assailant or the presence of a weapon have not been disclosed. This attack follows a series of assaults on German politicians earlier this month, heightening tensions across Europe.

European leaders, including Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have voiced their solidarity with Frederiksen, denouncing the attack as an affront to democratic values. Meloni described the assault as “an intolerable act of violence,” while von der Leyen expressed shock and condemnation, wishing Frederiksen strength and courage.

The incident occurs in a tense political climate, notably three weeks after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was gravely injured in an assassination attempt. The assault on Frederiksen has not only shocked Denmark but also the broader European community, underscoring the growing concern over the safety of its leaders amidst a backdrop of political unrest.

As Denmark and the rest of Europe prepare for the upcoming EU elections, the attack on Frederiksen serves as a grim reminder of the challenges facing the continent’s democratic institutions and the imperative of safeguarding its public servants against violence.

(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Stine Jacobsen; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)