Tens of thousands of protesters from across Spain converged in Madrid, calling for an end to EU-imposed austerity that has deepened poverty among the worst-off.

The "Dignity Marches" brought tens of thousands of people to the capital on Saturday, in support of more than 160 different causes including employment, housing, health and education.

Banners urged the conservative government not to pay its international debts and to tackle an unemployment rate of 26 percent, according to Reuters news agency.

Al Jazeera's Kim Vinnell reports from Madrid.