In a shocking incident, Alejo Vidal-Quadras, a prominent Spanish politician and former vice-president of the European Parliament, has been shot in the face by a masked gunman in the affluent Salamanca district of Madrid. The assailant’s identity and motives remain unclear. Vidal-Quadras, 78, is reported to be in stable condition after the bullet passed through his jaw.
Vidal-Quadras, previously associated with the conservative People’s Party (PP) in Catalonia and later aligning with the far-right Vox party in 2014, was attacked as he exited his residence. Reports indicate that two individuals on a black Yamaha motorbike were involved, with the gunman wearing a helmet, firing the shot, and then fleeing on the motorcycle.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with leaders expressing shock and concern. Santiago Abascal, the leader of Vox, conveyed relief that Vidal-Quadras appears to be out of immediate danger. The PP leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, deplored the shooting and wished for his swift recovery.
Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, a socialist leader, expressed solidarity and offered wishes for Vidal-Quadras’s speedy recovery. The investigation is underway to determine the motive behind this brazen attack on the seasoned politician.
This incident comes amid heightened political tensions in Spain, with Sánchez’s socialist party recently winning support from Catalan separatists by proposing a controversial amnesty for those involved in the failed bid for regional independence. Vidal-Quadras had vehemently opposed this amnesty, denouncing it as a threat to the rule of law and a shift towards a totalitarian state.
The assault on Vidal-Quadras adds a layer of complexity to the already tumultuous political landscape in Spain, where debates over amnesty laws and protests have intensified in recent days. Authorities are actively pursuing leads to apprehend those responsible for the attack on the seasoned politician.
By Reuters
