Thousands protest against monarchy in Spain

Thousands of Spaniards flood into squares in towns and cities across the country to demonstrate for an end to the monarchy.

Ever since King Juan Carlos announced last Monday that he planned to abdicate, demands for a referendum on whether Spaniards want a monarchy or a republic have dominated the news.

This is the second time in less than a week that anti-monarchists have taken to the streets.

. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PROTESTER MARIA LUISA, SAYING:

"We demand the republic instead of a monarchy. A republic dignifies, we want to be citizens not subjects. In a republic we can demand accountability to the president and we can't with this one (King Juan Carlos). We don't want to be ruled by a corrupt family as the Borbones. A republic is cheaper as well."

Many of the demonstrators brought republican flags, shirts and anything else they could find in the colours of the 1930s Spanish republic.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PROTESTER SANTIAGO, SAYING:

"The shir