MADRID (AP) -- Spain's public debt load has doubled since 2008, the central bank said Friday, as the government sought to talk calm into markets worried that the eurozone's fourth-biggest economy might need a bailout.
Spain is applying across-the-board cutbacks to slash its debt and deficits, but is having to do so at a time of recession, with unemployment near 25 percent. The austerity measures risk backfiring as they hurt the economy, depriving the government of valuable tax receipts.
They have also sparked strikes and protests, some of them violent.
Striking coal miners armed with homemade rockets and slingshots clashed with police in northern Spain on Friday, leaving seven people injured, two of them seriously, the Interior Ministry said.
Follow @sacbee_theframe
Miners fire handmade rockets at riot police officers, unseen, as they defend their positions near the mine "El Soton" during clashes in El Entrego near Oviedo, Spain, Friday, June 15, 2012. Strikes, road blockades, and mine sit-ins continue as 8,000 mineworkers at over 40 coal mines in northern Spain continue their protests against government action to cut coal subsidies. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Miners fire handmade rockets at riot police officers, unseen, as they defend their position near the mine "El Soton" during clashes in El Entrego near Oviedo, Spain, Friday, June 15, 2012. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Coal miners are seen behind their handmade shields as they defend their position from riot police officers inside the mine "El Soton" during clashes in El Entrego near Oviedo, Spain, Friday, June 15, 2012. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Coal miners shout slogan agains the police as they defend their positions near the mine "El Soton" during clashes in El Entrego near Oviedo, Spain, Friday, June 15, 2012. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Coal miners watch as clashes take place between miners and police police officers inside the mine "El Soton" during clashes in El Entrego near Oviedo, Spain, Friday, June 15, 2012. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Coal miners shout slogan against the police as they defend their positions near the mine "El Soton" during clashes in El Entrego near Oviedo, Spain, Friday, June 15, 2012. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Miners run from tear gas fired by riot police officers as they try to defend their position inside the mine "El Soton" during clashes in El Entrego near Oviedo, Spain, Friday, June 15, 2012. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Coal miners walk along a motorway during a protest march near Leon, Spain, Thursday, June 14, 2012. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Coal miners walk along a motorway as they receive the support from drivers, right, during a protest march on their way to Leon, Spain, Thursday, June 14, 2012. AP / Emilio Morenatti
With mining lamps shining in the night, some 10,000 miners demonstrated against the spending cut announced by Spanish Industry Ministry, in Leon, Spain on Wednesday, June 13, 2012. ZUMA24.com / J.Casares
A miner uses a slingshot to throw stones against riot police officers, unseen, during clashes following a demonstration after blocking a motorway in Campomanes, Oviedo, Spain, Tuesday, June 12, 2012. AP / Emilio Morenatti
An undercover miner in seen next to burning tires as they block a motorway in Campomanes, Oviedo, Spain, Tuesday, June 12, 2012. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Riot police officers run during clashes with miners following a demonstration after blocking a motorway in Campomanes, Oviedo, Spain, Tuesday, June 12, 2012. AP / Emilio Morenatti
A miner uses a slingshot to throw stones against riot police officers, unseen, during clashes following a demonstration after blocking a motorway in Campomanes, Oviedo, Spain, Tuesday, June 12, 2012. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Miners block a motorway making a barricade with burning tires in Campomanes, Oviedo, Spain, Tuesday, June 12, 2012. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Miners launch handmade rockets to riot police officers, unseen, during clashes following a demonstration after blocking a motorway in Campomanes, Oviedo, Spain, Tuesday, June 12, 2012. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Miners use a piece of a guard rail as a barricade to block a road during a protest in Cinera, near Leon, Spain, Monday, June 11, 2012. AP / Juan Manuel Serrano
Masked miners watch the police as they arrive in the area during a demonstration where a road was blocked in Cinera, near Leon, Spain, Monday, June 11, 2012. ASSOCIATED PRESS / Emilio Morenatti
A coal miner fires a slingshot during confrontations with the Civil Guard after the miners blocked the main N-630 highway in Cinera, Spain Thursday June 7, 2012. AP / Javier Bauluz
Miners prepare a barricade during a confrontation with miners in Aller, Spain, Friday, June 8, 2012. AP / Javier Bauluz
Miners help a woman to pass a burning barricade after coal miners blocked the main N-630 highway near Pozo Candin, Spain Thursday June 7, 2012. AP / Javier Bauluz
A man holds a cup as he begs in a street in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday June 9 2012. AP / Emilio Morenatti
A woman begs in the street at Sol square, in Madrid Sunday, June 10, 2012. AP / Daniel Ochoa de Olza
A demonstrator hits a pot during a protest against the financial crisis and the latest government Economic measures in Sol square,in Madrid Sunday June 10, 2012. AP / Daniel Ochoa de Olza
Spain's Finance Minister Cristobal Montoro scratches his face during a control session at the Spanish Parliament, in Madrid, Wednesday, June 13, 2012. AP / Daniel Ochoa de Olza
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.