22/10/2013 00:00
TW
0

Palma.—Five months after the first mass rally in Madrid, the “Indignant” protest movement is back. Activists yesterday mounted an international day of protest under the slogan: “Unite for global change” and thousands took part in the Palma wave of the demonstration last night.

Dubbed 15-M, after its birth date on 15 May this year, it has since inspired similar movements from Israel to America, with events planned this weekend in more than 80 countries. But sceptics say beyond the rallies themselves, the movement has had little impact.

In spite of initial widespread sympathy and support, the impact of 15-M appears limited.

“Political movements have to be measured against their demands, and I can't think of a single measure the government has taken or the opposition proposed that meets their demands. So you have to say it's a failure,” said political analyst Miguel Murado. “It doesn't matter that they gathered 70'000 people or 100'000 - if there's no impact, there's no impact,” he said.
Instead, national and regional governments have ushered in further austerity measures and cuts since May.
Most controversially, hospital beds and some clinics are being closed in cash-strapped Catalonia.
Elsewhere, cuts in spending on supply teachers have sparked a wave of strikes and protests such as the ones by health service staff outside Majorcan hospitals this week.