Copenhagen was rocked today by a brutal assault on Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, just 48 hours before Danes head to the polls for the European Parliament elections. Frederiksen, 41, was attacked by a lone assailant while walking in the Nørrebro neighborhood. She was beaten and kicked repeatedly before her security detail intervened and apprehended the suspect, whose identity has not yet been released.
Frederiksen was taken to a hospital for treatment of her injuries, which are reportedly moderate. She is expected to remain off the campaign trail for the final two days leading up to the elections.
Her assault is just the latest in a string of attacks, as tensions have reached a boiling point during this heated EU campaign cycle. Last month, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico narrowly survived an assassination attempt by a gunman at a rally, saved only by his bulletproof vest. The alleged shooter, aligned with anti-EU extremists, was arrested.
In Germany, Social Democrat MEP Matthias Ecke was hospitalized after being beaten by a gang of protesters while out canvassing in Dresden. Across the border in the Netherlands, far-right leader Geert Wilders has been forced to cancel several rallies amid credible threats against his safety.
With nationalist and euroskeptic parties poised for major gains, security experts warn this disturbing trend could continue and even escalate in the aftermath of the EU elections.