HispanicBusiness

Spanish judges on Wednesday joined protests against Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's spending cuts, staging their third strike since the end of Francisco Franco's dictatorship in 1975.

Prosecutors joined the strike for the first time.

The judges were protesting against the government's austerity policies, which include cuts in the budget of the judiciary, as well as new fees for citizens filing legal complaints.

The judges and prosecutors also criticized the government for reducing the powers of judicial associations, and accused it of using its right to pardon offenders for political purposes.

About 7,500 judges and prosecutors had been called on to join the strike, which was not backed by judicial associations close to Rajoy's conservative People's Party (PP).

The government has faced widespread protests against its budget cuts, especially in the health and education sectors.