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| Spanish government approves law cracking down on demonstrations | Spanish government approves law cracking down on demonstrations |
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| The Spanish government has approved draft legislation that sets fines of up to €30,000 (£25,000) for offences such as burning the national flag, insulting the state or causing serious disturbances outside parliament. | The Spanish government has approved draft legislation that sets fines of up to €30,000 (£25,000) for offences such as burning the national flag, insulting the state or causing serious disturbances outside parliament. |
| The bill, presented by the interior minister, Jorge Fernández Díaz, has been heavily criticised by opposition parties, judicial and social groups as an attempt by the conservative government to muzzle protests against its handling of the severe economic crisis. | The bill, presented by the interior minister, Jorge Fernández Díaz, has been heavily criticised by opposition parties, judicial and social groups as an attempt by the conservative government to muzzle protests against its handling of the severe economic crisis. |
| The measures, which update a 1992 law, also include fines of up to €1,000 for insulting or threatening police officers during demonstrations. Similar fines are planned for disseminating photographs of police officers that endanger them or police operations. | The measures, which update a 1992 law, also include fines of up to €1,000 for insulting or threatening police officers during demonstrations. Similar fines are planned for disseminating photographs of police officers that endanger them or police operations. |
| Spanish cities have experienced weekly protests, the vast majority of them peaceful, since the onset of the crisis in 2008. | |
| The conservative Popular party took office with Mariano Rajoy as prime minister in 2011 and issued a series of austerity measures and cutbacks in health and education and labour and financial reforms in an effort to refloat the economy and stave off a bailout. The measures triggered an increase in street protests, including several attempts to encircle parliament, some of which ended in clashes with police and rubbish containers being set on fire. | The conservative Popular party took office with Mariano Rajoy as prime minister in 2011 and issued a series of austerity measures and cutbacks in health and education and labour and financial reforms in an effort to refloat the economy and stave off a bailout. The measures triggered an increase in street protests, including several attempts to encircle parliament, some of which ended in clashes with police and rubbish containers being set on fire. |
| "When more than 20% of people are unemployed, I don't think this legislation is what we require," said Alejandro Touriño, partner and information specialist at the law firm Ecija. | "When more than 20% of people are unemployed, I don't think this legislation is what we require," said Alejandro Touriño, partner and information specialist at the law firm Ecija. |
| The draft legislation for the most part does not define new infractions or offences, but rather lays down guidelines for fines that judges will be able to impose. Up to now, it was up to a judge to decide the level of a fine. | The draft legislation for the most part does not define new infractions or offences, but rather lays down guidelines for fines that judges will be able to impose. Up to now, it was up to a judge to decide the level of a fine. |
| It does, however, include four new offences, which are classified as very serious and could carry fines of up to €600,000. They are: demonstrations that interfere in electoral processes; unauthorised or prohibited protests at strategic installations such as airports or nuclear plants; and aiming blinding lights – such as laser beams – at public transportation. Any person who commits three lesser offences within two years will also be in line for a maximum fine. | It does, however, include four new offences, which are classified as very serious and could carry fines of up to €600,000. They are: demonstrations that interfere in electoral processes; unauthorised or prohibited protests at strategic installations such as airports or nuclear plants; and aiming blinding lights – such as laser beams – at public transportation. Any person who commits three lesser offences within two years will also be in line for a maximum fine. |
| The bill must be approved by parliament, where it may undergo changes. Its passage, however, is virtually guaranteed as the ruling party has an absolute majority in both chambers. | The bill must be approved by parliament, where it may undergo changes. Its passage, however, is virtually guaranteed as the ruling party has an absolute majority in both chambers. |
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