25,000 March in Madrid for Pension Protection

Roughly 25,000 people filled the streets of Madrid on Saturday to demand safeguards for the country's state pension system. The demonstration took place one month before the general election, coinciding with a wider wave of European protests over living costs and public services. Participants traveled to the capital from across Spain to voice their concerns about the future of retirement income.

The crowd marched from Atocha train station to Gran Via, the city's main thoroughfare. Banners held by the demonstrators read, "protect and guarantee our pensions." The central demand was for pensions to remain indexed to inflation, ensuring that real value does not erode over time. Marchers also called for the elimination of the gender pension gap.

Emilio Delgado, deputy spokesperson for the left-wing Mas Madrid party in the Madrid Assembly, voiced support for the movement on X. He stated, "No pension should be below the minimum wage. A lifetime of work deserves a dignified retirement." His comments reflected the sentiment among attendees that current protections are insufficient.

The pension system faces financial pressure from an aging population, low birth rates, and stagnant wages. The ratio of workers to pensioners is falling, increasing reliance on state funding. Spain's monthly pension bill reached a record high of almost 14.5 billion euros this year, equivalent to $16.2 billion.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accused the right-wing Popular Party of planning to weaken inflation-linked increases if they win the election. He pledged to maintain the current system, which he described as affordable. Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the Popular Party, responded on Monday that his party would continue to raise pensions in line with inflation if it takes power.