Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is recovering after an assault last Friday, but she refuses to call for an election. During an interview at the People’s Meeting (Folkemødet), where she was interviewed by radio host Søren Dahl, Frederiksen stated that she is “okay”, but not yet completely herself. Frederiksen was attacked a week ago by a man who hit her on the right arm, leaving her shaken and causing her to cancel her schedule for the People’s Meeting on Thursday. Frederiksen has chosen to receive help for the first time after the incident, although she has not elaborated on what form of help it entails.
Despite the assault, she emphasizes that she is not afraid to walk on the street as she feels well-protected. During the interview, several citizens had the opportunity to ask questions, and one of them was about when she will call for an election following the government’s poor result in the European Parliament elections. Frederiksen clearly rejected calling for an election and stated that she will not step down as prime minister until the voters decide in a parliamentary election.
Frederiksen is not the only politician who has experienced unpleasant incidents. Inger Støjberg, leader of the Denmark Democrats (Danmarksdemokraterne), mentioned in her party leader speech on Thursday that she has also been subjected to pushes and spitting, expressing concern about a general deterioration of the political climate. Frederiksen ended by acknowledging that such incidents are destructive, but emphasized that she will continue her work as prime minister despite the challenges.