The former head of Spain's People's Party (PP) in Catalonia, Alejo Vidal-Quadras, was shot in the face on Thursday, Spanish police said.

The 78-year-old was shot in the Salamanca area of central Madrid at around 1:30 p.m. local time (1230 UTC) and taken to hospital, a police spokesperson said.

Rescue workers said a bullet passed through Vidal-Quadras' jaw and that he remained conscious after the shooting. His life is not in danger, hospital officials said.

Spain's EFE news agency reported that police were searching for a motorcyclist who disappeared from the scene in a black helmet. Police say no arrests have yet been made.

Politicians demand a thorough investigation

Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the center-right PP, called for a thorough police investigation.

Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also called for a thorough investigation and swift arrests.

"All my affection at this time for Alejo Vidal-Quadras and his family," Sanchez posted on social media.

Vidal-Quadras was the head of the PP in the northeastern Catalonia region during the 1990s.

The politician went on to serve as a member of the European Parliament between 1999 and 2014. He then briefly  joined the far-right Vox party.

sdi/nm (Reuters, EFE)