In her first interview since being attacked in a Copenhagen square last week, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she was still “underperforming” but would continue to work.
Frederiksen, 46, suffered minor whiplash injuries in Friday’s attack, which is not believed to be politically motivated. A 39-year-old Polish man was detained on suspicion of assault.
“I’m not doing very well and I’m not really myself yet,” Frederiksen told Danish broadcaster DR in an interview broadcast on Tuesday.
Frederiksen gave no details of the attack but said: “It’s very scary when someone pushes your last physical limits. There was some shock and surprise in it.”
She said it was “probably an accumulation of many other things as well. The threats on social media have become more serious over time, especially since the wars in the Middle East. Shouting loudly in public spaces. Maybe that was the last straw.”
“This feels like an attack on me as a human being,” Frederiksen said during the 10-minute interview. “But I have no doubt that it was the prime minister who was hit. In that way, it also became an attack on all of us.
“Violence of any kind has no place in our society.”
She continued: “I would rather the Prime Minister of Denmark could ride a bike to work and not have to worry. I am Mette at heart, but I am the Prime Minister of this country. Therefore, you cannot attack an institution, such as the police.
Frederiksen said the tone in politics has changed recently.
A 39-year-old Polish man was arrested and will be detained until June 20 on preliminary charges of violence against public servants. In Denmark, preliminary charges are one step below formal charges but allow authorities to detain suspects during the investigation.
In court, the unnamed suspect reportedly praised Frederiksen as “a really good prime minister” and investigators suspect he was under the influence at the time of the incident, which took place around 6pm on Friday. under the influence of drugs and in a state of intoxication.
Media reports said the man walked up to Frederiksen and pushed her as she passed through a main square in Copenhagen. He made a fist and hit her upper right arm.
Frederiksen has not been seen in public since the attack and did not participate in public party events following Sunday’s European Parliament election results.
Frederiksen took office in 2019, becoming Denmark’s youngest ever prime minister.
