The incident gave rise to the “15-M” phenomenon in Madrid, which was later emulated in other cities of the country. It happened spontaneously as an expression of rejection to the course the country was taking – marked by the economic crisis and unemployment, which exceeds 40% between the young people under 25 – and in demand for deep political and social change.

“We are ordinary people. People like you: people who get up every morning to study, go to work or look for a job. People who have a family and friends. People who work hard every day to have a better future for everyone”, said the group’s manifesto, whose proposals were addressed against unemployment and the “privileges of the politicians” and advocated for the right to housing and citizen freedoms, for good public services, control of banks and reduction of the military spending.

The platform was defined as a movement far from the traditional political parties or trade unions. They failed to participate in the elections held on Sunday.

“As a movement we will not say anything about the elections because we are fighting a different battle”, one of the spokespersons of the platform’s communication committee told EFE news agency. Besides, the demonstrators considered that they are not to be blamed for the election results, which were described as a defeat of the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), because they believed the parties should face the consequences of the elections.

During the regional elections celebrated less than a year before the general elections, conservative Popular Party (PP) won in most regions obtaining 10% over the PSOE.

EFE news agency said that PP obtained 37.59% of the votes compared with 27.82% of the votes obtained by PSOE, while Izquierda Unida (United Left) got 6,35 per cent of the votes, which consolidated it as the country’s third political party. Other relevant options got between four and two per cent of the votes.

The PP’s growth was considered by Izquierda Unida’s general coordinator, Cayo Lara, a consequence of the neoliberal policies adopted by PSOE. “PP is not the alternative our country needs” the leader told Europa Press, and fore-casted more conservative policies would result if that party continued to grow.

Meanwhile, the people that were camping in Puerta del Sol said they would continue mobilizing at least one more week, or until concrete proposals are agreed. The camp site has installed solar panels and they are having an orchard with a sign that reads “If we hold on for 40 more days, we will eat lettuce”. A sign that people are planning to continue demonstrating to demand a participatory democracy.

Photo: http://www.democraciarealya.es