Dutch Politician Mortally Wounded

Right-wing Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn was shot in the head and critically wounded on Monday, nine days before national elections, police said.

Fortuyn's spokesman told Dutch television Fortuyn was unlikely to survive the gunshot wounds.

Police in Hilversum, where the attack took place, said they had no further information.

Fortuyn was shot at least six times in the head, chest and neck as he was going for a radio interview in the Media Park in Hilversum, 12 miles southeast of Amsterdam, Dutch media reported.

Opinion polls predicted the flamboyant politician, campaigning on an anti-immigrant platform, would lead one of the largest parties in parliament in the May 15 elections.

The former academic and columnist leads an openly gay lifestyle, supports personal liberties, and has laid claim to leadership of the Netherlands' perennially vacant political right.

Fortuyn has dictated debate with verbal attacks on the country's growing Muslim population and with an indictment of the shortcomings of what many other Europeans see as one of the most successful countries on the continent.

No information was immediately available about the assailant or whether he was arrested.

"I saw Pim Fortuyn lying on the ground with a bullet wound in his head," said television reporter Dave Abspoel.

The reporter said four people chased the gunman, who apparently fired in their direction.

Dutch television, quoting witnesses, said Fortuyn was leaving the building to go to his car after an interview with the 3FM radio network when he was gunned down. Eyewitnesses spoke of several shots being fired.

There was no immediate reaction to the shooting from Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok or other Dutch politician who are campaigning for May 15 general elections.