Post date: Oct 13, 2012 9:28:58 PM
Anti-austerity demonstrators take to the streets in the Global Noise protest in Madrid.
MADRID, SPAIN (OCTOBER 13, 2012) (REUTERS) - Thousands of demonstrators in Madrid joined the Global Noise protest on Saturday (October 13) to express their anger over the government's austerity measures.
The centre-right government of Mariano Rajoy has been beset by anti-austerity protests and threats of secession by the wealthy northwestern region of Catalonia as he resists market and diplomatic pressure to apply for a full bail-out, partly out of concern for national sovereignty but also because European Union paymaster Germany insistsSpain doesn't need help.Discontent amongst the electorate is on the rise as spending cuts continue and a bank bail-out is in the process of taking place.
"We pay what they are squandering. What kind of country do we live in? What is this? Is this democracy, what is it? This is out of control. They (politicians) have to fall now, get out of the way," said Jose Garcia, who had lost his job as he was approaching retirement.
With the highest unemployment rate in Europe at almost 25%, Spaniards feel they are being asked to tighten their belts while banks get rescued.
"I don't have to pay a debt that's private. I don't want to pay fro something I haven't committed to. I don't want to be bailout. I am against that," said Angeles, who is unemployed.
Public workers have seen their salaries slashed as part of the government's attempt to cut spending and reduce deficit.
On Saturday protesters turned up in the thousands, kicking off the protest at the headquarters of the European Union in Madrid. Crowds chanted and snaked through the main streets of central Madrid in a festive atmosphere. Some protested by taking off their clothes.