Thousands of demonstrators are taking to the streets of Madrid, demanding better public pensions, as a wave of protests sweeps across several European countries amid heightened security and fears of fresh violence.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Organised by the pensioners’ movement and supported by trade unions, including the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), the march is making its way from Atocha station through the Spanish capital towards Calle Alcalá, near Sevilla metro station.
Demonstrators are demanding pensions that guarantee a decent standard of living for both current retirees and future generations.
Their key demands include linking pension increases to actual inflation, raising the minimum pension to match the minimum wage, closing the gender pension gap and protecting the public pension system from privatisation.
The CGT is also calling for easier access to early retirement without financial penalties for workers who have contributed for at least 35 years, as well as the repeal of several pension reforms introduced since 2011.
Europe on alert amid weekend of protests
The Madrid demonstration comes as several European countries face a weekend of protests over a range of political and economic grievances.
In France, authorities are deploying 70,000 police officers and gendarmes amid heightened tensions, including demonstrations against Marine Le Pen’s National Rally congress in Orléans.
Italy is also stepping up security, with 1,500 officers deployed in Rome and 1,800 in Milan as demonstrators mobilise against the rising cost of living and government policies.
Italian authorities fear renewed clashes following violent unrest on 17 and 18 October, which has prompted tighter security measures in several major cities.
Although the demonstrations have different demands, they reflect mounting political and economic tensions across Europe, with governments facing growing pressure over living standards, public spending and social policies.
