Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard has described the recent attack on the Prime Minister as “an assault on our democracy and Danish values.” However, he emphasizes that it is still too early to determine whether the incident was politically motivated. “I don’t care at all what state the perpetrator was in, or what he tries to explain at the remand hearing. It doesn’t matter at all. The fact that it happened at all is very serious,” says Hummelgaard. He compares the incident to previous events such as the attack on Anders Fogh Rasmussen with red paint and stones thrown at Pia Kjærsgaard, both of which were politically motivated. Even though the new attack may not have the same political undertones, Hummelgaard urges caution in drawing conclusions: “I believe it is too early to conclude anything yet. But it is clear that this man has chosen to confront and attack the Prime Minister because he sees it is her.”
Following the attack, it has been revealed that the perpetrator was under the influence of both drugs and alcohol. During the remand hearing on Saturday, he expressed shame and described Mette Frederiksen as “a really good Prime Minister.” Mette Frederiksen has sustained a minor whiplash as a result of the attack and has canceled all her events on Sunday, where an election will be held.