10,000 people march in Madrid to support left Podemos party

Thousands of supporters of the Spanish left wing political party Podemos took to the streets of Madrid on Saturday in a march organized by the party.

An estimated 100,000 people according to police sources, including attendees from over 260 coaches which had made their way to the capital from all over Spain took part in what was dubbed the "March for Change."

This march can be seen as the first move of the local regional and general electoral campaign by Podemos, which has close links to the Greek party Syriza which last week swept to power in Athens.

It is also the culmination of an incredible year for a political formation which although formed just a year ago by Pablo Iglesias, a former university lecturer, currently tops the opinion polls in Spain ahead of the ruling Popular Party (PP) and the Socialist Party (PSOE), who between them in one form or other have governed Spain since the death of Franco in 1975.

Podemos' arrival on the political scene caused shockwaves when the party won five seats in elections for the European Parliament in May. Endit