Spain extends state of emergency declaration by two weeks as protests spread

Spain's parliament narrowly passed a two-week extension of the declaration of a national state of emergency due to the spread of the new coronavirus on Monday. In addition to the ruling coalition party, small opposition parties turned in favor of the measure. However, there is a growing number of public protests against the restrictions on furloughs across the country.

The growth in the number of deaths from the country's new coronas has slowed, and the government hopes to lift most of the blockade by the end of June. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Sanchez called for an extension of the declaration of a national state of emergency on the grounds that special powers would continue to be needed to control the easing of restrictions.

He stressed that "no one has the right to waste what we have accomplished so far.

Meanwhile, in some parts of the capital Madrid and in cities such as Barcelona, people marched in protest against the restrictions on going out. The Bank of Spain expects the country's economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism, to grow at a worst-case rate of 12.4% in 2020, sparking public discontent over the economic downturn.

In the past few days, demonstrations have also taken place around the homes of some cabinet ministers.

The government also announced that wearing masks will be made compulsory if you can't get a certain distance from people in public places, which will be implemented from the 21st.