Spanish in austerity protest

Protesters use giant sausage to signify government corruption

Protesters carried a massive sausage through the streets of Pamplona in Spain yesterday in a demonstration against the government's austerity policies.

The 500ft chorizo was paraded through the city centre.

The name of the spicy sausage is also slang for a swindler or cheat and has become a symbol of protest. It has been adopted by campaigners as

“There isn't enough bread for so many chorizos”

signifying alleged government corruption while the country suffers from a severe recession.

In recent weeks, protesters against the government of prime minister Mariano Rajoy have also waved loaves in the air, shouting: “There isn't enough bread for so many chorizos.”

Mr Rajoy's conservative government was elected in November 2011, and has implemented a host of antiausterity measures including tax increases and labour reforms making it easier to hire and fire workers.

The unemployment rate in the first three months of 2013 was 27.2%, the highest in the country's history.

More than half of all people aged under 25 are out of work, while the economy is expected to contract by 1.3% this year.

Recently theg overnment has been hit by a corruption scandal, which in turn has led to protests such as the one staged yesterday in the north of the country.

Traffic was brought to a halt as residents joined the protestors who carefully carried the sausage around the streets. Pamplona is better known for the annual Running of the Bulls event, which is broadcast live across the country.

HAD SKINFUL: People protest against the alleged corruption of Spanish politicians, by carrying a more than 150metres long ''chorizo''