Madrid marchers demand inflation-linked pensions before election
25,000 people marched in the capital as Spain's monthly pension bill hit a record 14.5 billion euros.
By Wei Zhang ·
Roughly 25,000 people gathered in Madrid on Saturday to defend the state pension system. The rally occurred ahead of next month's general election and joined a wider wave of European protests over cost of living and public services.
Demonstrators traveled from across the country to march from Atocha train station to the Gran Via. They carried banners demanding that pensions be protected and guaranteed. The group aims to keep retirement payments indexed to inflation and eliminate the gender pension gap.
Emilio Delgado, a deputy spokesperson for the left-wing party Mas Madrid, voiced support for the demonstration on X. He stated that no pension should fall below the minimum wage and that a lifetime of work requires a dignified retirement.
The pension scheme faces strain from an ageing population, low birth rates, and stagnant wages. The ratio of workers to pensioners has fallen, pushing the monthly bill to a record high of almost 14.5 billion euros ($16.2bn) this year. As payments rise, the system relies more heavily on state funding.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accused the right-wing Popular Party of planning to weaken inflation-linked increases if it wins. He pledged to protect the current system, which he said is affordable. Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the Popular Party, responded on Monday that his party would continue raising pensions in line with inflation.
Source: Al Jazeera
