Thousands join anti-austerity protests in Slovenia

Economy December 21, 2012

Thousands join anti-austerity protests in Slovenia

Photo: AP Slovenian protestors arrive to anti-government rally in front of the parliament building in Ljubljana, Slovenia Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Several thousand protestors gathered in Slovenian capital to demand better living conditions. Banner in center reads: Capital is pulling strings.

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LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Thousands of people across Slovenia have protested against the center-right government and its austerity measures designed to avoid an international bailout for the economically-troubled EU nation.

Friday's protests passed peacefully, unlike similar demonstrations earlier this month that ended in clashes between police and groups of rock-throwing extremists. Riot police were deployed heavily in the capital, Ljubljana. Police said two people were briefly detained for minor offenses, after firebombs and rocks were found during pre-rally searches.

The protesters also marched through several cities, chanting "thieves" and accusing the government of alleged widespread corruption. The demonstrations were organized through Facebook and dubbed an "All-Slovenian Uprising."

The small Alpine nation has faced a major economic downturn and is in danger of needing EU's financial help.

Subjects
Locations
- Slovenia,
- Ljubljana,
- Eastern Europe,
- Europe

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