THOUSANDS of people across Spain joined in a countrywide protest over rocketing electricity prices on Saturday.
Demonstrations were held in 23 cities, mostly provincial capitals, including Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, Barcelona, Murcia, Málaga, Almería, Granada, Córdoba, Huelva, Sevilla, Cádiz, Jaén, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Carrying banners calling for Luz a precio justo ('electricity at a fair price'), the demonstrators clamoured against the government's forcing the consumer to bear the cost of its own debt with energy suppliers, leaving already hard-pressed householders suffering prohibitive prices.
Those trying to feed a family on the basic unemployment benefit of 425 euros a month often end up living literally by candlelight and washing in cold water because their supply is cut off due to non-payment.
Around 500 different organisations, including consumer group ADICAE were behind the march, which they say was intended to push for a 'reform of the electricity reform' and to 'condemn the abuse suffered by millions of households' in Spain.
“Consumers are not going to continue to accept this situation, and we want to see immediate and urgent changes including a review of the mechanisms involved in fixing electricity prices and all other costs that make up the total of the electricity bill,” said ADICAE.
“We want a guaranteed supply at a reasonable price and an independent audit of the alleged energy debt carried out with consumers' participation, which clarifies how much exactly this debt is and what part of it is genuine.
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