The assault on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (S) is a serious incident that goes beyond just a personal attack and strikes at the very foundation of our democratic system. Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard (S) has stated that the assault – whatever the motive may be – should be considered an attack on the entire population and the democratic values on which our society is built. In the aftermath of the incident, Hummelgaard emphasized the government’s intention to tighten the penalty for violent acts. “We do not want any violence. Especially not against our head of government, who is a representative of all of us. We need to ensure that the punishment more closely matches the harm done to the victim,” he said on Sunday.
The incident on Friday took place at Kultorvet in Copenhagen and was reportedly carried out by a 39-year-old Polish man. The incident is described as a spontaneous and isolated act. The man was remanded in custody for 12 days at a preliminary hearing on Saturday. Police reports indicate that the suspect was under the influence of both alcohol and intoxicating substances, and deemed mentally unstable by a doctor. Peter Hummelgaard categorically rejects the notion that this could have been a random accident. “People need to refrain from committing violence. I couldn’t care less if they are under the influence of one thing or another,” he asserts.
Another concerning factor for Hummelgaard is the reaction on social media, where several individuals, including some public figures, have expressed support for the assailant. “What shocks me almost as much as the assault itself, is all the keyboard warriors – some even public figures – who have found cause to praise the assailant,” says the Minister of Justice. Hummelgaard sees this as part of a broader trend, where more people consider it legitimate to incite or support violence to further political agendas. “It is deeply shocking,” he says, pointing out that this is not only a Danish phenomenon, but a growing trend in Western democracies.
With these statements, the Minister of Justice sends a clear message that violence against political figures and representatives of democracy will not be tolerated, and steps will be taken to protect both individuals and the democratic processes in the future.