Tens of thousands of pensioners march in Madrid against cuts and privatization: "Whoever governs, pensions are defended"

Tens of thousands of people marched this Saturday through the center of Madrid to defend public pensions and demand sufficient benefits to live with dignity. The demonstration gathered 25,000 attendees, according to the Government Delegation, and 50,000, according to the State Coordinator for the Defense of the Public Pension System (COESPE). The protest comes five weeks before the general elections on November 29, with a warning addressed to all parties. "Whoever governs, pensions are defended".

Pensioners arriving from different parts of Spain left Atocha at noon and advanced to Alcalá street, at the height of the Sevilla metro station. "Increase in salaries and pensions with the real CPI. Neither privatization nor cuts in public services," demanded the lead banner. Among the slogans heard were "the struggle is the only way" and messages of support for those mobilizing for decent housing.

The convening organizations demand equating the minimum pension to the minimum wage, closing the gender gap, and eliminating penalties for early retirement for those who have contributed 40 years or more. They also call for an audit of the Social Security accounts and reject the promotion of private pension funds. The mobilization thus brings together the defense of conquered rights and pending demands that the collectives maintain before the Government.

Pensioners and tenants unite their demands

The participation of the housing movement has reinforced the intergenerational character of the protest. Representatives of the Tenants' Union and collectives for public health and education have accompanied the pensioners. "Neither houses without people, nor people without houses," was chanted during a route that ended near the Puerta del Sol encampment.

The alliance connects problems that affect both retirees and young workers. Rent that absorbs a growing part of income reduces the scope of any salary or pension improvement. In turn, salaries and job quality determine the contributions that sustain the distribution system. The conveners place this relationship at the center of their response to discourses that pit young and old against each other.

The march also demands that legal protection translates into sufficient purchasing power. Contributory pensions have been revalued by 2.7% generally in 2026, according to the formula linked to the average interannual CPI. The collectives demand additional improvements for low benefits and consider that the rising cost of essential expenses continues to leave many households in difficulties.

The debate has fully entered the pre-campaign after statements by leaders of the PP and the far-right Vox on the sustainability of the system. Sánchez defended his pension policy this Saturday in Granada, while Feijóo claims his commitment to guarantee them and Abascal promises to sustain them with tax cuts and spending cuts. The mobilization reminds that electoral promises will have to respond to specific demands on income, retirement and public services.

Ada Colau proposes retirement at 65 and a minimum pension equal to the SMI

Ada Colau attended the demonstration along with other representatives of the Broad Front, including Pablo Bustinduy and Emilio Delgado. The presidential candidate has proposed effectively recovering retirement at 65 and ensuring that no pension falls below the minimum wage, currently set at 1,221 euros per month in 14 payments. "The logical thing is for pensions to rise at the same rate as the SMI," she defended.

Frente Amplio estimates the cost of both measures at around 20,000 million euros annually, approximately 10,000 million per proposal. The coalition plans to finance them through higher taxation of large companies and fortunes, the progressive elimination of the maximum contribution cap, and additional contributions from the most automated companies. These are the economic forecasts presented by the party to accompany its electoral commitments.

The change in retirement age would affect those who today must prolong their working lives because they do not reach the required period. In 2026, ordinary retirement at age 65 requires at least 38 years and three months of contributions. For those who fall below that threshold, the ordinary age is 66 years and ten months.