“Give me bread, a roof, and freedom”… Tens of thousands protest in Spain demanding guaranteed pensions

(London = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Ji-yeon = On the 24th (local time), a demonstration was held in Madrid, the capital of Spain, with tens of thousands of people participating, calling for guaranteed national pensions and improving the public sector and protesting against high prices.

According to AFP and Associated Press, about 25,000 people marched from Madrid's Atocha station to Gran Via, a major shopping street, on this day to demand guaranteed pensions.

The protesters, many of whom were elderly, held signs that read, “Protect and guarantee our pensions,” and “We must provide proper pensions today and in the future.” There was also a sign demanding the right to eat and live and freedom with the words “Bread, a roof (right to housing), freedom.”

State pensions are becoming an issue in the Spanish general election to be held on the 29th of next month.

Euronews pointed out that the Spanish pension system is a levy system that pays pensions based on current contributions, so there is no risk of bankruptcy, but there is a burden on the state as the state is constitutionally required to guarantee and adjust payments to an appropriate level.

Representative Ester Muñoz of the conservative opposition People's Party (PP) argued that the current pension system is in danger of collapsing and that the system must be reformed.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's ruling Social Labor Party then pointed out that the right-wing camp was trying to weaken the current system of increasing pension payments in line with rising prices.

Alberto Núñez Payjo, leader of the National Party, said that the price-linked pension system will be maintained even if the government succeeds in changing the government in the general election, but the Social Labor Party is continuing its offensive saying that the National Party is trying to change the system.

Juan Fernández, 38, a local civil servant, said he was opposed to any movement to 'privatize' pensions, saying he did not know whether he would be able to receive a proper pension after retirement.

Pilar (64), who participated in the protest, also said, “Pensions should not be touched.” Pilar said he also agreed with the recent protests against the housing crisis and emphasized, "It seems like the housing crisis has awakened young people," and added, "The public must fight not only for pensions but also for public sectors such as education and health."

The number of people receiving state pensions in Spain is 6.8 million. As of last month, the average monthly pension benefit per person was 1,576 euros.

In Spain, protests over the housing crisis, sparked by the forced eviction of an 87-year-old man, have continued for a month.

This has also spread to neighboring Portugal, with protests against rising housing costs taking place in places such as Lisbon.