Today's front pages

Industry and transport were paralysed by a general strike, while other businesses and the services were less affected. Several hundred thousand people participated in marches in cities across the country. In Barcelona, skirmishes between demonstrators and police resulted in more than 40 arrests.

Partial strike – La Vanguardia

The main trade union confederations have threatened further protests if the government does not amend its reform of Spain’s labour code by 1st May. On 30 March, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will present his 2012 budget, which is expected to be the most stringent since the reintroduction of democracy in the country in 1975.

Union defeat – El Mundo

Defence Minister Sten Tolgfors has resigned amid revelations of his involvement in secret arms deals with Saudi Arabia.

Tolgfors disappears, but questions remain – Svenska Dagbladet

The government plans to increase income taxes and VAT to maintain a deficit of less than 3% of GDP in 2013. Income tax will be increased from 15% to 16% with an additional contribution for high earners, while the country’s two VAT rates will be upped from 14% to 15% and 19% to 21%.

Coalition agrees to raise taxes: rich to pay the most – Hospodářské Noviny

The Bank of Portugal has revised down its forecasts for the country’s economy: unemployment will be higher than predicted while exports are expected to decline.

Stagnant Portuguese economy to shed a further 200,000 jobs in 2013 – Público

The coalition partners (PO and PSL) have hammered out a compromise deal on raising the retirement age from 65 to 67. Those who wish to retire earlier will still have the option, but they will have to make do with much reduced pensions.

We’ll work until 67 – Gazeta Wyborcza

Ahead of the Eurogroup meeting in Copenhagen, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble has announced his opposition to French proposals for a reinforced bailout funding mechanism.

Schäuble: Firewall does not address cause of the crisis – Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung