Amsterdam, 21 November 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Dutch right-wing populist Thierry Baudet was attacked on Monday, two days before parliamentary elections.

Baudet's Forum for Democracy party said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he was hit on the head with a beer bottle on Monday evening in a pub in Groningen in the northern Netherlands. The politician was treated in hospital.

"Just moments ago, a trauma surgeon treated @thierrybaudet at the UMCG. He was hit on the back of his head with a beer bottle and also hit just beside his eye on the edge of his temple. A security guard was also injured on his face," the post said.

The police said that the suspected attacker has been detained.

Politicians from the major parties reacted with shock. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on X that it was a "totally unacceptable" act.

Baudet was due to take part in an election campaign event when the attack took place.

Baudet has already been threatened on several occasions and was beaten by a man with an umbrella in Belgium in October. His party had subsequently declared that it was considering tougher security measures.

The Dutch elect a new parliament on Wednesday. Baudet's party is not one of the favourites.

Photo: EPA