Thousands Protest Ahead Of Spain Elections - Sky News

5:49pm UK, Saturday May 21, 2011

Tens of thousands of Spaniards angry over high unemployment rates have taken to the streets in a seventh day of protests before Sunday's local elections.

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Demonstrators filled the country's city plazas in a wave of outrage over government austerity measures, marking a shift after years of patience over a long economic slump.

Witnesses said at least 20,000 people packed the Puerta del Sol plaza in the heart of Madrid on Friday night.

They were challenging a law against political events on the eve of elections, which went into effect at midnight.

Police have not clamped down on the demonstrations despite the legislation which has been upheld by the supreme and constitutional courts.

I'm protesting because I've got no job future in Spain even though I've finished my degree in tourism.

Protester Inma Moreno

Inma Moreno, 25, was among the protesters who gathered in the capital's main square.

"I'm protesting because I've got no job future in Spain even though I've finished my degree in tourism," she said.

"This should make the political classes aware that something is not right."

Analysts said that police action against the peaceful demonstrations would be disastrous for the Socialists.

Outraged protester with a placard that says "STOP"

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who has failed to contain the highest unemployment in the European Union at 21.3%, said he respected the protesters, also signalling an unwillingness to crack down on the movement.

Spaniards will elect 8,116 city councils and 13 out of 17 regional governments when they go to the polls on Sunday.

Protesters have called on people not to vote for the two main parties, the Socialists and the centre-right opposition Popular Party.

Demonstrators have camped out in Madrid all week

The Socialists are expected to suffer major losses.

In the past year, Spain has struggled to emerge from a recession.

The collapse of the construction sector and a decline in consumer spending have hit the young particularly hard with 45% of 18 to 25-year-olds being unemployed.