Spain in flames as strike brings pain

By STEVE HAWKES, Business Editor
Published: 30 Sep 2010
comment 5

RIOTERS went on the rampage in Spain yesterday as mass economic demonstrations spread across Europe.

Protesters firebombed a police car in Barcelona and clashed with riot cops who fired rubber bullets at them.

Tourists in the city's famous La Rambla street watched in horror as demonstrators hurled bottles and stones at officers.

Thousands of Brits were hit by travel chaos after the whole of Spain - whose economy is on the brink - was paralysed by a general strike.

Ryanair axed 69 flights and easyJet was forced to ground half its services. BA warned the strikes were likely to cause "delays and disruption".

Manchester United fans travelling to Valencia for last night's Champions League showdown were among those affected.

Hundreds of holidaymakers were stranded at Majorca and Malaga airports.

Ann Greensitt, of Buxton, Derbys, had to fork out £300 for an alternative flight from Malaga.

She said: "We slept here in the airport overnight because we were told there would be no taxis or buses this morning."

Spain's unions are protesting against wage cuts and a higher retirement age in a country that is on the edge of collapse.

The unemployment rate is 20 per cent and Spain is expected to lose its top credit rating this week.

People protesting against huge spending cuts forced by the economic crisis also took to the streets in Belgium, Greece, Italy, Ireland and Lithuania yesterday.

Around 100,000 demonstrators marched on EU buildings in Brussels as banks and shops were barricaded.

In Dublin, a man blocked the gates of the Irish parliament with a cement mixer to protest at the country's expensive bank bail-out.

Written across the truck's barrel in red letters were the words: "All politicians should be sacked."


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More than 1,500 protesters heckled politicians returning from their 12-week summer break.

The Irish Government will today reveal the cost of the bail-out of the Anglo-Irish Bank.

Some fear it could be £30billion - equivalent to a FIFTH of the country's entire economic output.

Greek bus and trolley drivers walked out for several hours yesterday while Athens' metro and tram system shut down.

steve.hawkes@the-sun.co.uk

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... urope.html