Spain’s ruling Socialists faced a humiliating rout in weekend local elections as fury over soaring jobless numbers exploded into nationwide protests.

Young people camped in main squares across Spain in the largest spontaneous protests since the country plunged into recession after the collapse of a property bubble in 2008.

At the spearhead in Madrid, organisers communicating via Twitter and Facebook rallied thousands in the central Puerta del Sol square to decry politicians who left Spain with a 21-per cent jobless rate.

They defied the Madrid authorities’ refusal to grant a protest permit on Wednesday evening and hundreds remained yesterday.

They have refused to budge before regional and municipal elections on Sunday, even though demonstrations are banned tomorrow, a “day of reflection” before the vote.

“We are not politicians and we are not engaging in political campaigning,” stressed a spokesman for the organisers, Juan Cobo. And on Sunday we will “respect the electoral process.”

Calling for “Real Democracy Now,” the protests popularly known as M-15 began May 15, lamenting Spain’s economic crisis, politicians in general, and corruption.

They are now camped out across the country including in Barcelona, Seville, Granada, Cadiz, Malaga, Bilbao, Valencia, Burgos, Palma de Majorca and Santander.

The camp in Madrid has become a village unto itself, with tents, mattresses, a kitchen, two plastic baths, and even a pharmacy staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses.

Blue plastic tarpaulins cover half of the Puerta del Sol as a roof.