西班牙人抗议紧缩措施

The Spanish capital is bracing itself for large anti-austerity protests as demonstrators from all over the country march in Madrid.

Demonstrators have marched with banners accusing the government of ruining the country and are calling for the Prime Minister to hold a referendum. Mariano Rajoy’s government unveiled austerity measures designed to slash 65 billion euros from the public deficit by 2014.

In July, Rajoy announced a 3-point hike in the main rate of Value Added Tax on goods and services to 21 percent and cuts in unemployment benefits and civil service pay, sparking numerous protests.