Anti-austerity protests spread through major Spanish cities
THOUSANDS of people protested across Spain yesterday against government cuts aimed at tackling a debt crisis that has pushed the country into recession and sent unemployment close to 25 per cent.
Protesters closed central parts of the capital Madrid to protest against cuts to education and health services the government says must be made to help slash the public deficit.
The peaceful protests were mirrored in over 50 cities across the country as Spaniards grow weary of austerity measures and years of hardship triggered by a real estate crash in the wake of the global financial crisis in 2008.
The central government aims to make savings in its budget this year of around €27bn (£22bn), with a further €10bn to be made in healthcare and education.
Labour unions called for large-scale protests to continue in the coming months to persuade leaders they should not rely solely on cuts to deal with the deficit and should aim to stimulate growth also.