Veteran Spanish right-wing politician Alejandro Vidal-Quadras was shot in the face on a central street in Madrid on Thursday. The 78-year-old was taken to a hospital and was conscious upon arrival. Police believe the shooter, who wore a black helmet, escaped the scene on a motorbike. Vidal-Quadras, a former member of the conservative Popular Party, served as the regional leader of Catalonia and a European Parliament member before founding the far-right Vox party. Police are currently investigating the shooting and have yet to make any arrests.

Vox President Santiago Abascal stated that Vidal-Quadras' life is not in immediate danger, while Popular Party President Alberto Núñez Feijóo condemned the shooting and wished for his recovery. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his concern via social media. Vidal-Quadras has not been active in politics for several years but has remained a public figure as a media commentator and columnist. He previously served as a vice president for the European Parliament and had a keen interest in foreign affairs, participating in delegations to former Soviet republics Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The investigation is currently ruling out no hypotheses, including a possible link to Vidal-Quadras' ties with the Iranian opposition.

While there is no evidence supporting the Iranian link, Vidal-Quadras himself raised the suspicion from his hospital bed, prompting investigators to consider it one of several possible motives. The police are broadening the investigation to include a provincial brigade specializing in terrorism and extremism cases. The shooting occurred near Vidal-Quadras' home in broad daylight, and the suspect fired a single gunshot before fleeing on a motorbike driven by an accomplice. A charred motorbike found later in the day in a suburban town on the outskirts of Madrid is currently being investigated.

Vidal-Quadras' involvement with the Iranian opposition in exile has drawn attention from Tehran. In January, the Iranian Foreign Ministry imposed sanctions on Vidal-Quadras and others with ties to the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK), accusing them of supporting terrorism and terrorist groups. Vidal-Quadras criticized European Union officials and leaders for not being strong enough in their opposition to Iran and their support for the exiled opposition. Reactions to the shooting poured in from politicians and commentators, expressing surprise at the unusual homicide attempt in broad daylight. Vox President Santiago Abascal expressed relief that Vidal-Quadras' life is not immediately at risk, while Popular Party President Alberto Núñez Feijóo denounced the shooting and wished for his recovery. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also voiced concern.