Spain hit by yet another mass protest over rising prices

Since the end of last year, there has been growing social discontent in Spain over runaway annual inflation, which jumped to 7.6% in February, its highest level in 35 years.

A demonstrator is wrapped in a giant Spanish flag during a nationwide protest called by the Spanish far-right Vox party against price hikes, in front of the city hall in Madrid, Spain, March 19, 2022.

The crisis has prompted the UGT and the CCOO, Spain's two biggest unions, to call a national strike on March 23, while the far-right Vox has urged people to join nationwide protests on March 19.

A demonstrator holds a placard reading "energy, food and industrial sovereignty, now!" during a nationwide protest called by the Spanish far-right Vox party against price hikes, in front of the city hall in Madrid, March 19, 2022.

Demonstrators wave Spanish flags and flares during a nationwide protest called by the Spanish far-right Vox party against price hikes, in front of the city hall in Madrid, March 19, 2022.

Demonstrators hold balloons and wave flags during a demonstration called by farmers' trade unions and hunting federations, forming a "Rural Alliance," to mark the economic and social importance of the rural sector and to demand "a future for the countryside," in Madrid, March 20, 2022.

Demonstrators wave Spanish flags during a nationwide protest called by the Spanish far-right Vox party against price hikes, Madrid, March 19, 2022.

A demonstrator blows a horn during a demonstration called by farmers' trade unions and hunting federations, forming a "Rural Alliance," to mark the economic and social importance of the agricultural sector and to demand "a future for the countryside," in Madrid, March 20, 2022.

Demonstrators hold signs reading "Yes to hunting" during a demonstration called by the "Rural Alliance" to mark the economic and social importance of the sector and to demand "a future for the countryside," Madrid, March 20, 2022.

Demonstrators hold signs and wave flags during a demonstration called by the "Rural Alliance" to mark the economic and social importance of the sector and to demand "a future for the countryside," Madrid, March 20, 2022.

A protestor drives a tractor during a demonstration called by the "Rural Alliance" to mark the economic and social importance of the agricultural sector and to demand "a future for the countryside," Madrid, March 20, 2022.

Demonstrators hold banners and wave "Ikurrina" Basque flags during demonstrations by the "Rural Alliance," Madrid, March 20, 2022.