250,000 Rally in Madrid to Protect Pensions

A large march in Madrid called for protecting Spain’s public pension system ahead of the Nov. 29 parliamentary election, amid debate over its long-term sustainability and the cost of living. Madrid authorities put turnout at about 250,000, although another report gave an estimate of 25,000. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused the conservative Popular Party of threatening inflation-linked pension increases; party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo said the PP would maintain annual increases in line with inflation if elected. Protesters voiced concerns about possible privatization and called for secure pensions and the defense of public services, while organizers also pressed for higher minimum pensions and measures to close the gender pension gap.