25,000 march in Madrid to defend state pensions before election

Approximately 25,000 people gathered in Madrid on Saturday to defend the state pension system ahead of next month's general election. Demonstrators traveled from across the country to join the march, which stretched from Atocha train station to the Gran Via.

Many participants carried banners with the slogan, "protect and guarantee our pensions." The crowd expressed concern that the pension scheme could be weakened depending on which party wins the upcoming vote. Protesters specifically called for pensions to remain indexed to inflation and for the elimination of the gender pension gap.

Spain's monthly pension bill reached a record high of almost 14.5 billion euros, or 16.2 billion dollars, this year. The system faces pressure from an aging population, low birth rates, and stagnant wages. These factors have led to a falling ratio of workers to pensioners, increasing the scheme's reliance on state funding.

Emilio Delgado, deputy spokesperson for the left-wing party Mas Madrid in the Assembly of Madrid, voiced support for the demonstrators on the social media platform X. He wrote, "no pension should be below the minimum wage. A lifetime of work deserves a dignified retirement."

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accused the right-wing Popular Party of planning to weaken inflation-linked pension increases if they win the election. Sanchez pledged to protect pensions if he remains in office and stated that the current system is affordable.

Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the Popular Party, responded on Monday. He said he would continue to raise pensions in line with inflation if his party wins the vote.