MADRID (Reuters) – Spanish police on Saturday clashed with a bunch of farmers and truck drivers in Madrid as they tried to entry a essential highway in a bid to dam it, certainly one of a number of protests sweeping the European Union in opposition to the bloc’s environmental guidelines and what staff see as extreme taxes and crimson tape.

A bunch representing drivers, Plataforma Nacional, and a newly created farmers’ group, Plataforma 6-F, on Saturday got here collectively to collectively demand motion from Spanish and European leaders. They declare guidelines to guard the surroundings make them much less aggressive in comparison with different areas.

Members of each teams, waving Spanish flags, sporting yellow vests and shouting ‘Viva Espana’, gathered in a carpark close to the Atletico de Madrid stadium and voted in favour of becoming a member of forces. They are going to protest collectively any more.

“The federal government is forcing us to take measures that imply merchandise will sadly not get to shoppers in time. That’s the reason we’re calling on politicians to take accountability and do one thing,” mentioned Manuel Hernandez, head of the Plataforma Nacional, representing truck drivers.

Since Tuesday, Spanish farmers have joined their counterparts from Germany, France, Italy, Portugal and Belgium in day by day protests that embody blocking a number of highways and ports.

Shortly after the vote, a whole lot of protesters walked across the Madrid stadium after which tried to entry a essential freeway by way of a mud highway. Utilizing pressure, dozens of law enforcement officials managed to cease them from doing so.

Later a bunch of round 200 protesters tried to assemble outdoors the headquarters of Spain’s ruling Socialist celebration, however a big police presence prevented them from getting too shut.

Each teams vowed to maintain protesting, in Madrid and throughout the nation, till their calls for have been met.