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Alejo Vidal-Quadras pictured in September 2016.
Madrid CNN —
The former president of the Spanish Popular Party (PP) in Catalonia, Alejo Vidal-Quadras, was shot in the face in Madrid on Thursday afternoon, a spokesman for Spain’s Interior Ministry told CNN.
“He was taken unconscious to hospital while National Police agents investigate the matter,” the spokesman added. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. local time.
Vidal-Quadras is one of the founding members of the right-wing extremist party Vox, currently the third strongest force in the lower house of the Spanish parliament.
Spanish police said they were hunting two men riding a black motorcycle in connection with the shooting, Portal reported.
Nacho Doce/Portal
Police at the crime scene in Madrid.
Vox Party leader Santiago Abascal told reporters on Thursday afternoon that “it is too early to speculate, but we do not rule out a motive for the attack,” referring to the incident.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he hoped those responsible for the attack would be arrested.
“I would like to convey my solidarity and wishes for a speedy recovery to Alejo Vidal-Quadras,” Sanchez wrote in a post on X.
“All my affection goes out to him and his family. We hope that the investigation can clarify the matter as quickly as possible and those responsible are arrested.”
Vidal-Quadras, 78, was a major figure in the Catalan PP party before leaving to help found Vox, a far-right party that has grown in popularity since its founding in 2013.
He has held a number of elected positions throughout his career, including being a member of the Catalan regional parliament in Barcelona and a member of the European Parliament.