"They're Coming After My Pension Too?" Public Unease Mounts... Spain Sees Mass Protest Over Reform Push

Large-Scale Protest in Spain Calls for Guarantees for Public Pensions
Demands Inflation-Linked Increases and an End to the Gender Pension Gap

As protests against high prices and steep housing costs continue across Europe, a large rally was held in Spain calling for public pension guarantees. With the financial burden of pensions growing due to an aging population and low birth rates, demonstrators called for pension increases tied to inflation, an end to the gender pension gap, and opposition to privatization. With a general election scheduled for next month, political debate over the sustainability of the pension system and security in retirement is also intensifying.

Pensioners took to the streets in Madrid, Spain, calling for pension increases in line with inflation and an end to the gender pension gap. AP-Yonhap News.

On October 26, according to AFP and Al Jazeera, a protest was held in Madrid, Spain, on October 24 (local time), with about 25,000 pensioners, trade union members and other citizens taking part, according to authorities. The demonstrators marched peacefully from Atocha Station through the center of the capital to Gran Vía, a major shopping street.

Calls to Maintain Inflation Indexation and Close Gender Pension Gap

Demonstrators walked through the streets carrying placards reading, "Protect and guarantee our pensions" and "Pay proper pensions, today and in the future." Some also carried flags reading, "Bread, housing, freedom."

Their main demands included ▲maintaining pension increases in line with inflation ▲raising the minimum pension to the level of the minimum wage ▲closing the pension gap between men and women ▲preventing the privatization of public pensions. Emilio Delgado, deputy spokesperson for the Madrid regional assembly for the left-wing Más Madrid party, also wrote on social media (SNS), "No pension should be lower than the minimum wage," stressing that people who have worked their entire lives should be guaranteed a dignified retirement.

Pension Spending Hits Record High Amid Aging Population, Increasing Fiscal Burden

About 6.8 million people in Spain receive state pensions. According to the Ministry of Social Security, the average monthly pension per person was 1,576 euros as of September. Monthly pension payments this year reached about 14.5 billion euros, a record high.

Pensioners took to the streets in Madrid, Spain, demanding pension increases in line with inflation and an end to the gender pension gap. AP-Yonhap News

Rising pension spending is linked to an increase in the elderly population, a low birth rate, stagnant wages, and a decline in the ratio of pension recipients to workers. Spain currently operates a pay-as-you-go system, in which pensions are paid using contributions from current workers. However, as the number of recipients grows and benefit amounts rise, the burden on public finances is also increasing.

Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over Pension Policy Ahead of General Election

Pension policy has emerged as a key election issue ahead of the general election on November 29. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) says the current system of increasing pensions in line with inflation should be maintained. By contrast, members of the right-wing People's Party (PP) have questioned the sustainability of the current pension system and called for reforms.

Juan Fernández, a 38-year-old civil servant from Seville who took part in the protest, said he was "worried about whether he will be able to receive a proper pension in the future," and voiced opposition to changes. Pilar, a 64-year-old participant nearing retirement, said, "Pensions must be inviolable." Expressing sympathy for recent protests over the housing crisis, she stressed that citizens should join together to speak out to protect not only pensions but also public services such as health care and education.

Protests Over Housing Crisis and High Prices Spread Across Europe

The pension protest in Spain is part of a wider wave of demonstrations across Europe over the cost of living, housing costs and public services. In France, student protests calling for improvements to educational conditions turned into protests against high prices. Despite restrictions on demonstrations imposed by authorities, about 410,000 people took part in rallies nationwide, according to police estimates. In Paris, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) also held a protest calling for further pension increases in line with inflation after pensions were frozen.

Protests broke out in Paris, France, against a lack of public-sector investment and high prices. AP-Yonhap News

In Lisbon, Portugal, residents protesting the housing crisis marched through the city center. Their protest was directed at government policies announced to ease the annual cap on rent increases and streamline eviction procedures for tenants behind on rent.

In Milan, Italy, a protest led mainly by young people was held to criticize government policies. Local broadcasters reported that some participants threw filth at the energy regulatory authority's building and set fire to a model energy bill. In preparation for the possibility of a recurrence of violence seen at an earlier protest, some shops protected their windows and closed early.

1,400 military and police personnel were deployed in Milan, Italy. They screened people at crowded locations, including Duomo Square and subway stations. EPA Yonhap News.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.