Pensioners protest in Spain

With 50 percent youth unemployment in Spain these days we are used to seeing the younger generation protesting on the streets.

But this time it is pensioners.

Worn out by waves of austerity measures, news that their pensions would not be increased in line with inflation was the final straw.

“The Spanish government has broken their electoral committment and the promises they made to the citizens,” said Ignacio Fernandez Toxo of the CCOO union.

“This is not about whether the government is to blame, he says. It is about the suffering this is imposing on the Spanish people.” added Candido Mendez, leader of the UGT.

The centre-right government of Mariano Rajoy is committed to reducing the public deficit by 150 million euros between 2012 and 2014.

The protesting pensioners are the latest social group to show their anger, following in the wake of doctors, teachers and court officials.

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