Austerity anger leads to violent clashes in Spain

26 Sentyabr 2012 12:52 (UTC+04:00)

The effects of the financial crisis have been seen and felt vividly on the streets of Madrid.

Protestors, mostly the young, have clashed with police in the Spanish capital as the government prepares a fresh set of austerity measures for 2013.

Police fired rubber bullets as they tried to clear Neptune Square in the city centre.

At least 32 people have been injured, including four police officers. Batons were also used.

The protest began peacefully enough. Thousands gathered to form a human chain around Parliament where the austerity debate was underway. But clashes erupted when police moved in to clear the square.