Feijoo pledges inflation-linked pension rises after 25,000 march in Madrid

Alberto Nunez Feijoo, the leader of the Popular Party, confirmed on Monday that his party would continue to raise state pensions in line with inflation if it wins the upcoming general election. The pledge came one day after approximately 25,000 people gathered in Madrid to defend the current pension structure.

The demonstration took place on Saturday, with marchers traveling from across Spain to the capital. The crowd moved from Atocha train station to the Gran Via, the city's most prominent thoroughfare. Participants held banners demanding that pensions be protected and guaranteed, reflecting a growing concern that the system could face structural changes depending on the election outcome.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who leads the current government, has framed the issue as a binary choice for voters. He accused the right-wing opposition of planning to weaken inflation-linked increases and pledged to maintain the current system if he remains in office. Sanchez asserted that the existing model is financially affordable despite rising costs.

The pressure on the Spanish pension system is measurable. The monthly bill reached a record high of nearly 14.5 billion euros, or 16.2 billion dollars, this year. This surge is driven by an ageing population, low birth rates, and stagnant wages. As the ratio of workers to pensioners falls, the scheme has become increasingly reliant on direct state funding.

The rally also highlighted the gender pension gap, with organizers calling for its elimination. Emilio Delgado, a deputy spokesperson for the left-wing party Mas Madrid in the Assembly of Madrid, voiced support for the movement on the social platform X. He argued that a lifetime of work deserves a dignified retirement and stated that no pension should fall below the minimum wage.

The event occurred during a wider wave of European protests addressing cost of living and public services. However, the specific focus in Madrid was the financial viability of the state pension scheme ahead of the vote scheduled for next month.