Alejo Vidal-Quadras, a prominent Spanish political figure and former head of the People’s Party (PP) in Catalonia, sustained a gunshot wound to the face on a street in Madrid. The incident occurred on Thursday around 1.30pm in the Salamanca district, an affluent area of Spain’s capital.
Despite the serious assault, Vidal-Quadras, 78, maintained consciousness and received immediate medical attention. He was transported swiftly to Gregorio Marañón hospital, where reports from El Pais confirmed that he is in a stable condition, suffering a wound to his jaw.
Authorities have launched a full-scale search for two suspects believed to be involved in the shooting, who reportedly fled the crime scene on a motorbike. One of the individuals, described by witnesses as a ‘young, small man’ dressed in jeans and a dark coat, was seen wearing a black helmet during the escape.
The police have secured the area where the shooting took place, but no arrests have been made as of yet. The motive behind the attack is still unclear, and investigators are piecing together evidence and eyewitness accounts.
Vidal-Quadras has a notable political track record, having served as a Vice-President of the European Parliament from 2009 to 2014. He made a significant political shift when he left the PP to join Vox, a party newly established at the time.