Europeans protest austerity at May Day rallies [View all]

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http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/05/01/uk-protests-greece-idUKBRE8400CA20120501

(Reuters) - Thousands of workers across southern Europe protested against spending cuts in annual May Day rallies on Tuesday, before weekend elections in Greece and France where voters are expected to punish leaders for austerity.

Unions in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy and France are using the traditional marches to express their anger over an austerity drive across the euro zone, aimed at shoring up public finances but criticised for forcing countries deeper into recession.


About 5,000 Greek workers, pensioners and students marched peacefully to parliament in central Athens holding banners reading "Revolt now" and "Tax the rich". Another 1,500 supporting the Communist PAME rallied outside a steel factory.

Greece will vote on Sunday in a parliamentary election that risks derailing the international bailout keeping the country afloat by punishing the parties that backed the package.

"Our message will be stronger on Sunday," said Maria Drakaki, 45, a public sector worker whose salary has been cut.

"There's no way I'm voting for one of the two main parties."