Headlines February 13, 2023 from Democracy Now!

In Spain, more than a quarter-million people marched through central Madrid Sunday to oppose the dismantling of the public health system by the capital region’s right-wing government. The massive protest was led by unions who complained of long patient waiting lists and staff shortages.

Adolfo Antón: “Well, our situation is getting worse and worse, as we have fewer resources and less staff. We believe that everything that is being done is in favor of private health, and it’s a business. We think we have to fight against this and defend the public health system, as it’s what makes us all equal.”

In Portugal, more than 150,000 schoolteachers and their supporters marched through Lisbon Saturday to protest soaring inflation and low wages. Portugal’s lowest-paid teachers earn less than $1,200 a month. They’re demanding pay increases, less punishing schedules and faster career progression.

Maria Coelho: “We have been badly treated for a long time by a society that forgets the importance and responsibilities of education. So we are here today, and we will be here for many more days to come.”

In France, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of cities nationwide on Saturday in a fourth day of action against plans to slash the nation’s pension system. Unions estimated over a half-million people joined protests in Paris to oppose President Emmanuel Macron’s bid to raise the age of retirement from 62 to 64.