Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (S) says that the assault she was subjected to in Copenhagen on Friday was primarily frightening. The boundaries in society are shifting at a rapid pace, according to her.
Frederiksen says in an interview with Danmarks Radio that she is not yet "completely herself" after the incident.
The Danish Prime Minister was attacked by a man on a square in Copenhagen on Friday. She was taken to Rigshospitalet with a minor neck injury. The man, who is reported to have been both intoxicated and under the influence of drugs, was arrested on the spot and has since been remanded in custody. During questioning, he is reported to have expressed remorse and described Frederiksen as a good Prime Minister.
DR asks the Prime Minister if she regards the assault as an attack on democracy, as other politicians have described it.
As a human being, it feels like an attack on me. I was hit. But I have no doubts that it was the Prime Minister who was targeted. In that sense, it is also an attack on all of us, says Mette Frederiksen.
I am Mette in my own inner self, but I am the country's Prime Minister. And as such, an institution that cannot be attacked, just like the police.
The boundaries are shifting very rapidly in society, emphasizes Frederiksen, referring to comments on social media where people seemed to be rejoicing at the assault on her.
It's a landslide that's happening. And I believe it's difficult to argue anything other than that social media is not helping our democracy, but rather fuelling more hatred and polarisation.
