Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is in shock after being attacked by a man who hit her in central Copenhagen on Friday night, the Ritzau news agency reported, citing police and the prime minister’s office.

“Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was assaulted by a man on Friday night in Kultorvet, Copenhagen. The man has been arrested,” the statement issued by the prime minister’s office said, adding that Mette Frederiksen is “shocked by the incident.”

Copenhagen police confirmed that there had been an incident involving the prime minister, without giving further details.

“One person has been arrested in connection with this case, which is under investigation. We have no further comments or observations to make at this time,” police said in a statement posted on X.

“I have to say that this upsets those of us who are close to her,” Danish Environment Minister Magnus Henike said in a social media post. “This kind of incident should not happen in our beautiful, safe and free country.”

“Heinous attack on Danish Prime Minister”

The attack on Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen earlier this evening in a Copenhagen square is “heinous”, European Parliament President Roberta Metzola said, adding that “violence (has) no place in politics”.

And European Council President Charles Michel expressed his “disgust”, stressing in a message on social media X that he “unequivocally condemns this cowardly attack”, which came as Danes prepare to go to the polls on Sunday for the European elections.