Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was assaulted by a man in the capital of Copenhagen on Friday, June 7th, 2024. She had no outward signs of harm but was left “shocked” according to a statement from her office. The assault took place on a square in the center of Copenhagen. A man approached Frederiksen, hit her, and subsequently was arrested.

On Platform X, Copenhagen police confirmed that they had arrested the attacker and were investigating the incident, declining to provide further details. The European Union’s chief Charles Michel and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola described the attack as “appalling.” Reuters reported a barista working on the square stated Frederiksen “seemed a little stressed” as she was being escorted away from security following the attack.

This assault was a violent instance, the context of which seems to be a mystery. Although the Prime Minister was not severely harmed, Frederiksen, Denmark, and the international community all shared concern and shock. This manifestation of violence may prove to be a reflection of political tension or perhaps something else entirely.

The attack comes two days before Denmark votes in the European Union election. The election in Denmark is part of the larger European Parliament election, which is the first one to take place following Brexit. Earlier in the day, Frederiksen had taken part in a European election event with leading Social Democrat candidate Christel Schaldemose. The Social Democrats are the largest political party in Denmark’s government. Frederiksen is the leader of the party, and the Social Democrats dominate the polls. However, support for Social Democrats has decreased significantly in recent months.

It is worth mentioning that just three weeks ago, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was seriously injured in an assassination attempt. He made his first public speech in a video on June 5, days before Frederiksen’s attack and the E.U. election. Fico was critically injured after being shot multiple times and stated his assailant was an “activist of the Slovak opposition.” The shooting was the first major assassination attempt on a European political leader for more than 20 years, drawing condemnation from many foreign countries.

The assassination attempt on Prime Minister Fico has exposed the increasingly polarized political climate in Slovakia as well as across Europe. The recent assault on Denmark’s Prime Minister, although a developing investigation, may additionally be an example of violence inspired by growing political division.

Denmark’s Prime Minister is shaken following her attack as foreign leaders’ criticisms of the violence roll in. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said, “An attack on a democratically elected leader is also an attack on our democracy.” The security and peace of Europe is crucial, as it is a powerful union of nations. The violence against both Frederiksen and Fico are tragic incidents, and the international community must strive to prevent similar instances in the future.