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Spanish Prime Minister Sucker Punched by Southpaw on Campaign Stop

The Spanish prime minister was sucker punched during a campaign stop by a southpaw with a vicious left hook.
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The Spanish prime minister was sucker punched Wednesday during a campaign stop by a southpaw with a vicious left hook.

Mariano Rajoy was hit so hard his glasses flew off, but he was able to continue campaigning and the young man who attacked him was quickly wrestled to the ground and arrested, a spokesman for the ruling People’s party told Spanish newspapers.

Rajoy, in footage obtained by the Diario de Pontevedra, can been seen talking with constituents on the street in the city of Pontevedra when a young man with a buzz-cut standing directly beside him suddenly slugs him.

The PM was staggered by the blow but did not fall, the footage shows.

Police did not release the name of Rajoy's accused attacker, who is a minor, or reveal a motive, according to the Pontevedra newspaper.

But Spain has been suffering through an economic slump and has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the European Union. Despite that, Rajoy's party is expected to win Sunday's general election.