Mass Protests In Spain Against Constitutional Reforms
By KUNA
Huge rallies took place in various Spanish areas Thursday in protest against the plans of the ruling Socialist party and the opposition Conservative party to amend the constitution in order to control the budget deficit.
The protests took place in various cities and in response to calls by leaders from the Spanish popular movement and major labor unions in the country.
Waving banners, the demonstrators argued that any change in the constitution should be submitted to a referendum and accused Madrid of caving in to French and German demands on the debt crisis.
Several other similar demonstrations have already been staged to oppose the move, which protestors argue could make unemployment worse.
The ruling Socialist and conservative opposition Popular Party have struck a deal on an amendment that would include a budget deficit cap in the country’s constitution.
On August 16, France and Germany had suggested that all 17 eurozone countries adopt laws to balance their budget deficit.
Spain is seeking to slash the public deficit to 6.0 percent of GDP by the end of this year from 9.2 percent in 2010. It aims to reach the EU-target of 3.0 percent by 2013.
