Huge protests against austerity cuts erupt in Spain

Unions called more than 80 demonstrations across the country, the latest and biggest in an almost daily series of protests this month, with workers yelling in anger at pay cuts and tax hikes.

"Hands up, this is a robbery!" protesters bellowed in Madrid, where a sea of demonstrators crammed the avenues of the city centre.

A sustained string of protests erupted after Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy last week announced new pay cuts and tax increases, aiming to save 65 billion euros ($80 billion) in order to slash the public deficit.

Among the steps is a cut in the Christmas bonus paid to civil servants, equivalent to a seven-percent reduction in annual pay. This came on top of a pay cut in 2010, which was followed by a salary freeze.

Under pressure from the European Union to stabilise Spain\'s public finances, the conservative government also cut unemployment benefits and raised sales tax, with the upper limit rising from 18 to 21 percent.

"Rajoy is robbing us" and "I want Christmas", yelled the Madrid demonstrators.

© Copyright AFP Agence France-Presse GmbH - All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed. All reproduction or redistribution is expressly forbidden without the prior written agreement of AFP.