Thousands of protesters have been flooding the streets of Madrid and other cities in Spain this week over a controversial move by the Socialists to get power in the country.

The Socialists were runners-up in July's general election, behind the conservative People's Party (PP). However, PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo failed to form a government in an investiture vote in September, receiving only the support of the far-right Vox out of the main parties.

What the Socialist Party did was enter into a coalition with the Catalan separatists. But in exchange for the alliance, the Socialists offered an amnesty for the things the separatists did in a 2017 secession effort. The Socialist leader had previously called such an amnesty "unconstitutional." So, it looked like he was doing this all just to get power. 

That didn't sit well with many Spaniards, who have come out in droves against the amnesty move by the Socialist Party and acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

🇪🇸 #Spain's acting Prime Minister, Pedro #Sanchez from the #Socialist party, has agreed to an #amnesty deal with #Catalan separatists.

The deal is #controversial, sparking #protests from far-right #nationalists in the country.

Watch our #report for more 👇 🔊 pic.twitter.com/OtkLzKLEcE

— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) November 10, 2023

France24 termed the protesters "far-right nationalists," which was funny. How dare the people be upset with such a coup-like move to subvert the will of the people by the Socialists?  I love how they term everyone "far right," when they're on the right. I think it's more than just the people on the right who are upset with what has gone down here. 

But things may blow up more now, with an assassination attempt against a former right-wing leader, Alejo Vidal-Quadras. He was shot in the face on a Madrid street by a person in a black helmet on a motorbike -- after Vidal-Quadras had posted on X against the amnesty deal. 

Ya se ha acordado el infame pacto entre Sánchez y Puigdemont que tritura en España el Estado de Derecho y acaba con la separación de poderes. Nuestra Nación dejará así de ser una democracia liberal para convertirse en una tiranía totalitaria. Los españoles no lo permitiremos.

— Alejo Vidal-Quadras (@VidalQuadras) November 9, 2023

Vidal-Quadras had been a former leader in the conservative People's Party but then joined the right-wing Vox party. But in a twist, it may not just be leftists under suspicion for the attempt. 

The police are reviewing all the witness statements and video, but it doesn't look like they have any idea yet on the case. 

Vidal-Quadras himself raised the possibility to the police that the attempt to kill him might have a connection to Iran since he is on their radar for speaking up for the Iranian opposition. Iran previously imposed sanctions on him for his efforts. 

Four hours after the shooting, Madrid’s Gregorio Marañón general university hospital said the bullet had fractured Vidal-Quadras’s jawbone and that he would undergo surgery. It said the politician was in a stable condition and his life was not in danger.

Who it was isn't clear yet, but such an attack can't help things in a country already in the midst of chaos.