About 2,000 people marched in Madrid on Saturday to protest against increased defence spending, reported the event organizers.
"The march, which active about 2 1000 people, marched on Prado Avenue in Madrid. The action was organized by about 70 collectives, including trade unions, associations and political parties, specified as Podemos, Izquierda Unida and Movimiento Sumar," said Angela Angela, spokesperson for the left-wing organization of Podemos.
Protesters demanded that government plans to increase military spending to 2% of GDP, and opposed NATO and EU military plans.
The march began at Atocha railway station, passed the legislature of Deputies building and ended at Puerta del Sol Square. Words were against the Prime Minister of the kingdom Pedro Sanchez. At the finish, the organizers called for the preservation of the “anti-war and anti-fascist tradition of Madrid” and criticized plans to increase military spending as “imposed by elites”.
The protesters were peculiarly afraid about US statements on the request to increase NATO's defence budget to 5% of GDP. Left organization representatives stated that specified a decision could lead to a political divided in the ruling coalition. As an alternative, demonstrators proposed to channel funds for education, wellness and environmental protection.
Earlier, Spanish defence minister Margarita Robles said that the allocation of 2% of GDP to defence is adequate to meet the country's NATO commitments, despite force from the US and most allies supporting an increase in spending to 5% of GDP.
Spain intends to meet its commitments to NATO and to scope a level of defence spending of 2% of GDP in 2025. This will be possible thanks to the Government-approved safety and Defence Technology and Industrial improvement Plan, to which an additional €10.47 billion will be allocated.
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W Madrid held a rally against increased military spending
