25,000 Rally in Madrid to Defend Pensions as Spain’s Monthly Bill Hits €14.5 Billion
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Oct 24
25,000 Rally in Madrid to Defend Pensions as Spain’s Monthly Bill Hits €14.5 Billion
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Oct 24
Summary
About 25,000 people marched through Madrid on Saturday, pressing to protect Spain’s state pension system ahead of next month’s general election.
Protesters want pensions to keep rising with inflation and the gender pension gap erased, fearing the scheme could be weakened depending on the election result.
The pressure on the system is mounting as Spain’s monthly pension bill has climbed to a record nearly €14.5 billion, with an ageing population, low birth rate and wage stagnation straining finances.
Pedro Sanchez says his government will safeguard pensions and that the system remains affordable, while PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo has also pledged to maintain inflation-linked increases.
The Madrid march fits a broader wave of European protests tied to living-cost pressures and other social grievances.