The Spanish government is due to unveil what is expected to be one of the toughest budgets in its recent history.

西班牙政府将要公布其以往历史上最严苛的一次预算。

Newly-elected Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has already warned the budget will be "very austere¹（严峻的） ".

The global financial markets are increasingly concerned that Spain's debts are becoming unmanageable.

On Thursday, Spanish police clashed with protesters after a general strike was held to protest against labour reforms designed to cut unemployment.

Road, rail and air transport were all affected², with domestic and European flights cut to a fraction of their normal levels.

Bailout fears

Spain, which is suffering from the highest levels of unemployment in Europe, is under intense pressure from eurozone leaders to reduce its deficit³.

Correspondents say there is concern that if the situation does not improve, Spain might eventually need a bailout.

The BBC's Gavin Hewitt in Brussels says the cuts are expected to be around 35bn euros ($46.5bn; £29bn), and that health and education funding are unlikely to escape.

Budget Minister Cristobal Montoro said it would be the most austere budget since Spain became a democracy.

"It needs a budgetary effort that up to now we have probably never made in our country."

On Thursday, police clashed with demonstrators as hundreds of thousands swamped（泥沼状的） streets in Barcelona and other cities.

Unions said 800,000 people joined the protest in Barcelona. Police put the number at 80,000.

Some marchers in the city smashed windows and set rubbish bins⁴ alight. Police fired tear gas and shot rubber bullets at the ground, TV pictures showed.

In the capital, Madrid, unions said around 900,000 people took part. The government did not give a figure.