Alejo Vidal-Quadras, the former head of the Spanish People’s Party in the Catalonia region, was targeted in a severe attack on the streets of Madrid. According to Spanish police, Vidal-Quadras was shot in the face by an unidentified individual around 1:30 local time on Thursday.
The attacker, who was reportedly on a motorcycle and wearing a black helmet, carried out the shocking attack in the Salamanca area located in central Madrid. In their initial response to this violent event, the authorities have revealed no clear motive for the attack. The Spanish national police, in collaboration with Madrid police, is set to carry out a thorough investigation.
Vidal-Quadras was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital following the shocking event. The rescuers treating him confirmed that a bullet had passed through his jaw. Although the gunshot was severe, it was not fatal and Vidal-Quadras’ condition has since been stabilized.
The former politician has a significant career history in both Spanish and European politics. Vidal-Quadras held the presidency of the People’s Party of Catalonia from 1991 to 1996. He also served as the vice-president of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2014. In 2014, he left the People’s Party and joined the far-right political party Vox, serving as the provisional president from March to June 2014 before eventually leaving the party in February 2015.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has expressed his concerns about the incident and extended his best wishes towards Vidal-Quadras and his family. Calling for an exhaustive investigation, he wrote on social media, “I want to convey my solidarity and wishes for a speedy recovery to Alejo Vidal-Quadras. All my affection at this time for him and his family.”