Spanish police and anti-corruption protesters clashed in the Spanish city of Valencia yesterday, injuring 12 people and leading to five arrests, officials said.

Hundreds of demonstrators decrying political corruption, the economic crisis and soaring unemployment had gathered on Wednesday night outside the regional Parliament, which was to elect its President yesterday after regional elections on May 22.

“Throw the corrupt out of our institutions,” read one banner waved by protesters.

The re-elected President of the Valencia region, Francisco Camps, is under investigation for corruption in a scandal involving members of Spain’s conservative opposition Popular Party.

Police said they moved in yesterday morning to break up the protest after objects were thrown at the officers.

A spokesman for the regional government said eight police officers were injured and five demonstrators arrested.

Those detained were held for “public disorder, assaults on police and injuries” resulting from “throwing full bottles and even scissors” at officers, a police media officer in Valencia said. Police were also “kicked and punched”, she said.

An emergency services spokeswoman said four demonstrators were also injured: a 55-year-old woman who was hospitalised for heads wounds and three others who were treated at the scene for bruises.

Protests over the economic crisis began in Madrid on May 15 and fanned out to city squares nationwide as word spread by Twitter and Facebook among demonstrators known variously as “the indig”, “Spanish Revolution” and “Real Democracy Now.”

Hundreds also rallied in front of the Spanish Parliament in Madrid on Wednesday night to condemn plans by the government to reform the collective bargaining system.