Tens of thousands marched in the Spanish capital Madrid Saturday in a major show of support for fledgling leftist anti-austerity party Podemos, whose surging popularity and policies have drawn comparisons with Greece’s new Syriza rulers.
Crowds chanted “yes we can” and “tic tac tic tac”, suggesting the clock was ticking for the political elite. Many waved Greek and Republican flags and banners reading “the change is now”.
Podemos (“We Can”) was formed just a year ago, but produced a major shock by winning five seats in elections for the European Parliament in May, and opinion polls suggest the party could be a major force in local, regional and national elections this year.
“People are fed up with the political class,” said Antonia Fernandez, a 69-year-old pensioner from Madrid who had come to the demonstration with her family.
Fernandez, who lives with her husband on a 700-euros-a-month combined pension cheque, said she used to vote for the socialist party but had lost faith in it because of its handling of the economic crisis and its austerity policies.
“If we want to have a future, we need jobs,” she said.
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Europe - Mass rally in Madrid for anti-austerity Podemos party - France 24
Crowds chanted “yes we can” and “tic tac tic tac”, suggesting the clock was ticking for the political elite. Many waved Greek and Republican flags and banners reading “the change is now”.
Podemos (“We Can”) was formed just a year ago, but produced a major shock by winning five seats in elections for the European Parliament in May, and opinion polls suggest the party could be a major force in local, regional and national elections this year.
“People are fed up with the political class,” said Antonia Fernandez, a 69-year-old pensioner from Madrid who had come to the demonstration with her family.
Fernandez, who lives with her husband on a 700-euros-a-month combined pension cheque, said she used to vote for the socialist party but had lost faith in it because of its handling of the economic crisis and its austerity policies.
“If we want to have a future, we need jobs,” she said.
more
Europe - Mass rally in Madrid for anti-austerity Podemos party - France 24
