50,000 Europeans protest against austerity

Almost 50,000 people from 21 countries across Europe shut down the EU capital demonstrating against austerity and unemployment.

The massive demonstration erupted into violence with police using water canon and pepper spray to quell a minority of people who threw stones, garbage and bottles at police and buildings along the route.

EU institution buildings locked down for much of the day as did other offices including the US Embassy, preventing anybody entering or leaving as security officials took precautions.

Organised by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), it was the biggest manifestation seen in the city for many years to highlight the fact that 26m people are out of work — an increase of more than a third since the crisis began and austerity policies were enforced.

Bernadette Ségol, head of ETUC, told the demonstrators the economic policies being pursued were not working and they were proposing a new path of investment, quality jobs and equality. “Our message is simple, and one which EU leaders do not want to hear — that their policies for dealing with the financial crisis are not enough and have caused a mounting social and economic crisis. Austerity is not working”.

While EU leaders congratulate themselves that the euro crisis is over, the crisis of unemployment and poverty has yet to be tackled, and new and different polices are needed to get Europe back to work, she said.

In 18 of the 28 EU countries real wages have fallen (in Greece by almost a quarter) with 26m people out of work (10m more than in 2008) including 7.5m young people who are not in work, education or training.

In Spain, where more than 50% of youth are without a job, more than a quarter of a million young people left the country last year, and the same is happening in Ireland, Greece and Portugal.

“Europe risks a lost generation — lost to unemployment, lost to migration and lost hope. Freedom of movement within Europe is an important principle and benefit — but it should be a positive choice not an act of desperation”, she said.

“The EU talks about creating a European industrial renaissance but does not have the instruments or policies to enable such a thing to take place. On the contrary, cuts in education and transport infrastructure spending make it less likely,” she added.

After the demonstration Ms Ségol and a delegation met president of the EU Council Herman Van Rompuy to discuss their demand for new policies to tackle the growing employment and poverty crisis.