Spanish Austerity Protests Expected Tonight

The government has pledged to implement 60 billion euros worth of cuts through 2014

Several hundred thousand Spaniards will take to the streets in 55 cities across the country in a union-organized protest against austerity on Monday night.

The demonstration is scheduled just a day after a mass protest against healthcare cuts.

The centre-right government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is committed to 60 billion euros worth of cuts through 2014.

Meanwhile, the Spanish economy is expected to shrink by 1.3 percent this year, and a similar amount next year.