Protesters clashed with police in Spain's capital on Tuesday as the government prepares a new round of unpopular austerity measures for the 2013 budget that will be announced on Thursday.
At least 22 demonstrators were detained and 28 injured, as clashes continued late into the evening near the Spanish parliament, Spanish broadcaster TVE reported.
More than 1,500 police in riot gear had been deployed throughout the day in preparation for the demonstration, with barricades being set up.
Police fired rubber bullets and beat protesters with truncheons, first as several protesters were trying to tear down barriers and later to clear the square.
The peaceful protest turned violent after a series of clashes began at 7pm local time.
The protest, promoted over the Internet by different activist groups, was younger and more rowdy than recent marches called by labour unions. Protesters said they were fed up with cuts to public salaries and health and education.
The 2013 budget is the second one conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has had to pass since he took office in December. Spain must persuade its European partners that it can cut the budget shortfall by more than 60 billion euros by 2014.
Also on Tuesday, the treasury ministry said the central government deficit to the end of August had reached 4.77 per cent of GDP, already above its year-end target of 4.5 per cent of GDP.
26 September 2012
Spain Protests Over Austerity, and Something Shady
There's something funny here. Notice the guys in jeans an hoodies helping the police assault the protestors toward the end of the video...
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