Spain demonstrations continue in defiance of rally ban

[harvey007]

Run time: 00:57 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9aDGAW9POw   Posted on YouTube: May 21, 2011 By YouTube Member: telegraphtv Views on YouTube: 217   Posted on DU: May 21, 2011 By DU Member: harvey007 Views on DU: 525

 

[vandelay]

1. The socialist party is facing defeat this election.

Spain's ruling Socialist Party is facing defeat on Sunday, with devastating losses expected. Polls suggest that voters will punish the party for their handling of the economic crisis.

Spain's unemployment rate was 21.19 percent in the first quarter of this year, the highest figure in the industrialized world. In February unemployment for under-25s, stood at 44.6 percent.

Spain is currently experiencing the biggest protest movement since the country was first plunged into a recession in 2008. The protests are are being led by the same Socialist Party being blamed for the country's devastated economy.

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15095512,00.html

[wysingm]

2. Boom and Bust

Spain: King of the Welfare State

True to his Socialist principles and riding an economic boom, Zapatero raised the minimum wage and extended health insurance to cover everything from sniffles to sex-changes. He made scholarships available for all. Young adults got rent subsidies called “emancipation” money. Mothers got $3,500 for the birth of a child, toddlers attended free nurseries and the elderly won stipends to finance nursing care.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/socialists-cut-spains-welfare-state-riling-spaniards/2011/05/19/AFr6go7G_story.html">Read more here

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