21.   In the meantime, it uncovered another scandal in Belgium involving bribes paid by Italian aircraft maker Agusta SpA to Socialist politicians in return for a Belgian military contract.

22.   In return for the kickbacks, Socialist politicians are alleged to have secured an contract to upgrade Belgian air force jets for the French company.

23.   It has forced several Socialist politicians to quit as cabinet ministers and led to the suicide last March of a former air force chief.

24.   Recently, Le Pen was found guilty at home for assaulting a Socialist politician last year.

25.   Socialist politicians have been the most vocal proponents of some kind of action, but disagree on how far to go.

26.   The attack came a day after Priede attended a first anniversary memorial service for fellow Socialist municipal politician Froilan Elespe who was killed by ETA.

27.   The Agusta corruption scandal already has led to the resignations of four high-ranking Socialist politicians, including the ministers of foreign affairs and transportation.

28.   The Agusta corruption scandal has rocked Belgian politics for years, forcing four high-ranking Socialist politicians, including the ministers of foreign affairs and transportation, to resign.

29.   The latest shooting came a day after Priede attended a memorial service for fellow Socialist politician Froilan Elespe killed by the organization last year.

30.   The key player in the scandal is former Foreign Minister Roland Dumas, a Socialist politician who was a close associate of the late President Francois Mitterrand.