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Teenager punches Spanish prime minister in the head

December 17, 2015

A young man has punched Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy at a campaign rally, breaking his glasses and bruising his face. The teenage assailant was detained by security and taken away in handcuffs.

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Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy (C) speaks to journalists at the end of a press conference.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/G. Julien

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was hit in the head Wednesday evening by an unidentified attacker. Spanish media reported that the attacker was 17.

The attack took place during a campaign event for Sunday's general election in Rajoy's home region of Galicia. The punch apparently knocked off Rajoy's glasses, and left the prime minister with a noticeable red mark on the side of his face.

However, a spokesperson for Rajoy's ruling People's Party said the attack didn't hurt the 60-year-old PM.

Rajoy's party is expected to win in the upcoming election, though Spain is in the midst of a severe economic slump.

Spain has also experienced one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the European Union, with around half of people aged 25 and under unable to find work.

smm/bw (AP, Reuters)