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| The price of street demonstrations Posted: 09 Oct 2012 11:37 AM PDT Spain has received a 100 billion euro bailout package from euro zone countries to prop up its hobbled banking system, but, unlike Greece, it has not been required to reduce its deficit as a condition of the loan. The government has had to submit control of its financial sector to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank and the European Commission. However, about 5 billion euro was lost due to the cost of massive demonstrations since May 2011 over the government's austerity drive, forcing the government to do whatever is necessary to put both problems - street demo and the economy - under control.  The spending cuts appear to be in anticipation of a possible second bailout package to keep the government from defaulting on its debt, and so rather than be forced to relinquish any sovereignty over its spending policies, Madrid is saving face by imposing austerity on itself. The Indignados have been protesting since May 2011, when the current political opposition, the Spanish Socialist Party, was in power. As a loosely organised popular political movement, the Indignados share a frustration with Spain's two-party political system, a strong opposition to government austerity and rejection of the current economic system, which they view as subverting democratic freedoms and breeding political corruption. Now, perhaps Malaysia could learn something from the 'happenings' in Spain, especially with regard to street demonstrations and a stiff opposition that rejects everything the government does for the benefit of the country and its people. What separates the opposition in Spain with us is that, the Spaniards would usually close rank on every constructive measures introduced by the government, and this include the opposition as well. However, ours is totally an 'opposition' that opposes anything the government does. I have not seen a situation like this, not in any of the 87 countries I have visited. But we can understand why Pakatan Rakyat is throwing stones at Barisan Nasional government every now and then - for the sake of power! And ever since Anwar announced his quest to become a prime minister, the opposition movement has gone radical, subscribing to fascism method in avowing their greed to take over Putrajaya in the next general election. What happens if their 'victory' is met with similar protest like what they have been doing? Would they be able to sustain present stability in the years to come?   |
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