Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she was “shocked” but “okay” after a street attack, but it was not thought to be politically motivated.
Ms Frederiksen was allegedly in Copenhagen’s Old Town on Friday night when a man walked up to her and punched her, causing her to suffer a minor whiplash.
An arrested 39-year-old Polish man appeared at a Frederiksberg court on Saturday for a preliminary hearing.
He has been accused of violence against a public official, but has pleaded not guilty, according to local media.
Copenhagen police said on the 10th that the suspect had been remanded in custody until June 20.
“At this time, our guidance assumes that this incident is not politically motivated,” the force said in a statement.
According to Danish public broadcaster DR, police believe the attacker may have been under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he was arrested.
Ms Frederiksen’s office told AFP she had been taken to hospital for tests following the incident.
Her official schedule for Saturday was canceled.
In a message posted on Instagram over the weekend, she thanked people for the “many, many messages of support and encouragement” she’d received, which she called “incredibly touching.”
“I am saddened and shocked by yesterday’s events, but other than that I am fine,” she wrote.
She added that she now needs “peace and quiet” and to be with her family.
Ms Frederiksen, 46, is the leader of the Social Democrats of Denmark, the largest party in Denmark’s coalition government.
She became prime minister in 2019 after taking over as leader of the center-left party four years ago. This makes her the youngest Prime Minister in Danish history.
European leaders condemned the incident, which took place two days before Danes go to vote in European elections on Sunday.
EU President Charles Michel said he was “outraged”, while French President Emmanuel Macron called it “unacceptable” and wished the Danish prime minister a “speedy recovery” .
