The demonstrators from all over the country are urging the government to abandon the cuts and resign. They also are demanding early parliamentary elections.

The center-right government says the budget cuts and reforms of pension and health care plans are needed to bring the budget deficit back below 3 percent of GDP and maintain market reliability.

Saturday’s protest is organized by major labor unions and non-governmental groups.

Recently, several members of a junior coalition partner in the government have quit their party because of a bribery scandal. Elections are planned for 2014.