More than 10,000 people gathered in Madrid''s central "Plaza del Sol" on Tuesday night in an attempt to emulate the popular pro-democracy rallies that recently took place in the Middle East, to demand jobs, economic equality, and "real democracy."

Demonstrators claim to be peaceful and not to represent any political party, neither left, right or center. They demand political and social change and have been chanting and waving banners with slogans that say things like "make the guilty pay for the recession".

Similar protests are being held in 13 different Spanish cities, though Madrid is the most crowded so far.

Protestors intend to continue demonstrating until election day on Sunday.